NASA: Rare Launch Pad and Control Center Tours

Crawler Trackway Leading to Launch Pad 39A

Closeup of Launch Pad 39A

Flame Trench for Launch Pad 39A

Water Sound Suppression System for Launch Pad 39A

Launch Control Center Building Beside VAB

Launch Control Center Firing Room Floor

Launch Director’s Desk Overlooking Floor

Launch Control Center View. Crawler Trackway Leads to Launch Pad 39A on Right.

Space Mural in Lobby of Launch Control Center

NASA is currently offering rare access tours in celebration of its 50^th anniversary. 

The Launch Pad Tour takes visitors to the highly restricted area of Launch Pad 39A, where shuttles were launched into space and Apollo missions were launched to the moon.  The public has never been invited here before.  So much history!

The Launch Control Center Tour takes visitors inside Firing Room 4, which controlled all space shuttle launches since 2006.  It is where the Launch Director polls engineers for “go/no go” for launch.  The room’s iconic windows were designed by architect Martin Stein to “see mankind’s future”.   Public access has not been granted since the 1970s.

Both of these tours are only offered for a limited time.  More info is at:  http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launch-pad-tour.aspx

and http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launch-control-center-tour.aspx