New for 2025: Galactic Adventures Await at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Stellar New Experiences and Signature Events to be Unveiled in 2025.

In 2025, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will take guests closer to space than ever before, all without leaving Earth. The iconic, Florida attraction is set to unveil a series of groundbreaking new experiences, exclusive offerings and signature events, designed to inspire and awe space enthusiasts of all ages.

The Gantry at LC-39 Launches Spring 2025

Visitors are in for a thrilling new experience with the opening of The Gantry at LC-39, in spring 2025. This innovative and interactive attraction reimagines the observation gantry at Launch Complex 39, offering stunning 360° views of active launch pads, NASA’s spaceport and the surrounding wildlife refuge.

Accessible via the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, The Gantry at LC-39’s central theme is ‘Off Earth, For Earth’ and explores the vital relationship between technology and nature, underscoring NASA’s ongoing mission to protect Earth through space exploration. Much more than an observation platform, key features of The Gantry at LC-39 will include:

• Earth Information Center (EIC): A dynamic data hub featuring an immersive theatre show, captivating hyperwall display and an interactive exhibit gallery, providing a holistic view of how the planet is changing in ways that affect all life on Earth.
• Rocket Build Interactive: Guests can design and virtually launch rockets, experiencing the thrill of space flight from a launch site within view of Kennedy Space Center’s working space ports.
• Interactive Exhibits: Educational activities, including gamified experiences where visitors can explore Launch Complexes 39A, 39B, 41, 40, and 37, using binoculars and informational graphics.
• Test Fire Simulation: A thrilling experience where guests of all ages can stand under a full-scale rocket engine as it simulates a static fire test, to feel the power and excitement of a rocket’s ignition. A roar of sound, light and cooling mist create a visceral thrill.
• Launch Viewing Area: A prime location to view real rocket launches, complete with a large LED screen that loops media content to enhance the experience.
• Shaded Courtyard with Animal Play Sculptures: Climbable sculptures of sea turtles, alligators and an eagle nest, as well as interpretive graphics, tell the story of Kennedy Space Center’s home within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. An artifact from a retired Mobile Launch Platform connects guests to the historic launch pads nearby.
• Outdoor Dining Area: A relaxed, shaded space for guests to enjoy self-service dining adjacent to the Crawlerway, as well as a Crawler-Transporter tread artifact.

Kennedy Under the Stars returns

Kennedy Under the Stars will continue as a twice-yearly event for 2025. The exclusive after-hours party will be held on 7 February and 30 August 2025, from 6.30pm – 10pm, offering a glow-in-the-dark celebration with an inter-galactic party vibe. Guests will marvel at the park after dark, with illuminated attractions, video DJ in the Rocket Garden, techno dance party in NASA Central, Cosmic Glow Mini Golf under the Saturn 1B rocket, and more.

Many of the main attractions at the visitor complex will stay open late, allowing more time to venture to other worlds in Spaceport KSC®, get up close to actual flight-flown artifacts like Space Shuttle Atlantis, feel the rumble aboard the Shuttle Launch Experience® and more. Guests attending the 7 February event will also have the exclusive opportunity to spend a Friday night with veteran NASA astronauts Sandy Magnus and Curt Brown, who will meet with guests throughout the evening.

Food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the night, and selected retail stores will remain open as well so guests can add to their collection of NASA “merch”. Interplanetary, space themed outfits are encouraged, but for security reasons, costume masks that conceal faces are prohibited, as are any props that resemble weapons.

Tickets for Kennedy Under the Stars are $65, plus tax and parking is included. Tickets can be purchased here. The ticket is valid for event entry only. This event does not include the Kenndy Space Center Bus Tour or Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Record Number of Planned Launches for 2025

With more than 80 space launches from Kennedy Space Center in 2024, and over 100 expected in 2025, visitors have an incredible opportunity to experience these thrilling events up close, including from a prime viewing location. For many of the launches, exclusive packages will be available at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, offering an optimal viewing experience. To learn more about upcoming launches, click here.

Discover Something Real

Unlike other attractions, the visitor complex offers an experience truly based in reality. Throughout the visitor complex, guests will be amazed by flight flown artifacts like the Orion Exploration Flight Test-1 spacecraft, SpaceX Cargo Dragon COTS-2, and Falcon 9 Rocket Booster in Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex®. The latest additions include worn space suits, including Alan Shepard’s Moon-dust-covered suit in the Apollo/Saturn V Center and astronaut Michael López-Alegría’s Axiom Mission 1 flight suit, recently unveiled in Space Shuttle Atlantis®.

Cashless in 2025

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has transitioned to a cashless operation for a smoother, more secure guest experience. As of 6th January 2025, cash is no longer be accepted at registers throughout the visitor complex. Should guests arrive with cash, converting it into a convenient Visa prepaid debit card is simple and free at Cash-to-Card kiosks placed throughout the visitor complex and at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Guests can continue to use credit cards, debit cards or Apple Pay for purchases.

UK travellers planning to visit Florida can book a package with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, with prices starting from £2,640.25 for a family of four (£660 per person). This includes return flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow with 23kgs luggage per person, seven nights at Delta Hotels by Marriott Orlando Celebration on a room-only basis (waived resort fee saving $25 per day), car hire, free shuttle to Walt Disney World, and two days admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for all the family. Price is based on departure on 10th March 2025. To book go to www.virginholidays.co.uk or call 0344 557 3859.

Virgin Atlantic Holidays is a member of ABTA and is ATOL protected. Prices subject to change and availability. Virgin Atlantic Holidays terms and conditions apply.

For more information on Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and to book tickets, please go to www.kennedyspacecenter.com.