“At least we are alive and that’s all that matters,” our flight instructor assured us as we tried to land our space shuttle. Our shuttle had long since missed the runway and bounced its way through plants and shrubs in the Florida countryside. We had given new meaning to the phrase, “Houston, we have a problem.” But, we’d experienced a great adventure; a simulation of the training astronauts received.
Have you ever wanted to spend a day in space? Dreamed of becoming an astronaut? Just wanted to explore the history of the US Space Program? You can experience all of this at The US Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
A History of The Space Center:
Are you wondering how Huntsville, Alabama became a crucial center of the race toward space development? It begins with the story of Dr. Wernher von Braun, a German scientist who, starting in 1932, worked for the German army on the development of V-2 ballistic missiles. In 1945, after deciding the Germans would not win the war, he bicycled across enemy lines and arranged for a surrender of himself and his key team members of 500 rocket scientists. Known as the “paper clip society” because anyone with a paper clip on their folder was expedited to the US, these scientists searched for a place to settle and develop their program. They located to Huntsville in 1950 and transformed the city into what is today the second largest research park in the United States. As the Father of the US Space program, Dr. von Braun developed the technology which led to the first man on the moon. Today a section of the museum is dedicated to his story and an exhibit features a replica of his office with the original furniture donated by his family.
Planning Your Visit to the US Space and Rocket Center:
There’s so much to explore at the US Space and Rocket Center! Plan to spend at least one full day at the center to experience all of the activities. The center is divided into five different sections.
*The Rocket Center – This is the place to find permanent and traveling exhibits, hands-on activities for kids, and space simulators. Want to see real food the Astronauts eat in space or see how they sleep when there is no gravity? It’s all here! The kids can try their hand at the Mars Climbing Wall or learn how astronauts train in the Hyper Ship Motion-Based Simulator. Be sure to visit before the end of September 2017 to see the amazing Discover Earth exhibit. Developed by the US Space and Rocket Center, this exhibit will soon begin traveling around the world. Packed with fun activities for all ages, the Discover Earth exhibit allows visitors the chance to fuel their own rocket, explore the difference between the gravitational forces on each planet, and view photos taken from space of the planets. The IMAX theater is located in this section as well.
*Tip– If you are a teacher, you can send in a request for a photo of an area you would like to see from space, for example, the desert, and workers on the space shuttle will take the picture for you to use in your classroom.
*Davidson Center For Space Exploration- This building showcases the history of the US Space Program. Beginning with the inception of the program, the center features examples of the spacecraft used over the years. Free guided tours are available throughout the day explaining the advances made in both technology and safety. Fun fact: The first helmets used by the astronauts did not provide as much protection as the motorcycle helmets used today. You’ll be able to see moon rocks, the quarantine container used to hold some of the first astronauts until they could be tested to see if they had contagious “moon diseases,” one of only 3 Saturn V rockets in the world, and much more. The Saturn V rocket was never sent into space but was used for extensive testing to see if it could withstand the pressures of the atmosphere before more rockets were developed. Young children will enjoy Kidspace, a playground for the children with an “out of this world” theme. The National Geographic Theater, one of less than 20 in the US, is also located in this building.
* Shuttle Park- Can’t get enough of shuttles? The Outdoor Shuttle Park is located near the Space Camp Dorms. Here you’ll find the Shuttle Training Aircraft (STA), the only one on display anywhere in the world, along with the world’s only fully-stacked Space Transportation System, a Supersonic Jet and more. The great thing about these exhibits is you can get “up close and personal.” You can stand beside or under most of the displays!
*Rocket Park- Located between The Rocket Center and the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, the outdoor Rocket Park has 27 missiles and rockets on display. Here you will find helicopters and army vehicles and a Lunar Module that will leave you feeling as if you just stepped onto the moon. The older kids will have a “blast” with the Space Shot and the G-Force Accelerator, two rides designed to simulate space training. The younger kids- and their parents- will be glad for a stop in the Kids Cosmos Energy Depletion Zone.
*Space Camp–Looking for an adventure for children ages seven through eighteen? Want a family vacation that provides challenges and teamwork? Always wanted to try your hand at being an astronaut but never got the chance? The world renowned Space Camp has something for everyone. Adults and children from all over the world flock to Huntsville to attend one of these camps. For campers who arrive early, lunch with an Astronaut is available on Fridays for an additional fee.
Family Camp is available in three or four-day sessions and offers the entire family the opportunity to train for a space mission with simulation projects, model rocket building, astronomy night and more. Families live in a dorm style setting designed to resemble astronaut training facilities. Children must be seven or older to participate.
Week long Children’s Camps are available for ages nine to eighteen and cover topics ranging from robotics, MACH I, and space. Advanced Space Academy, available for ages 15-18, provides extensive in-depth hands-on training in different fields with a goal of an extended duration space mission. The students who graduate from this course receive 1 college credit. Teamwork skills and gradually moving children out of their comfort zone to provide new experiences, along with the traditional space orientation, are goals of the program.
Adult Space Academy is a day night program for anyone 18 or older who is interested in an interactive space mission. One of the facets I found fascinating about this camp is their attention to detail. The staff gleans knowledge of what NASA will be developing in the future and tailors their programs to relate to up to the minute space experimentation.
Things To Know Before You Go:
*The US Space and Rocket Center is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m, Central Standard Time. Admission is charged for adults and children ages five through twelve. Ages four and under are free.
* IMAX and National Geographic theater movies are not included in the cost of admission, although you can purchase an upgraded package which includes a movie.
*A two-hour bus tour is also available for an additional fee.
Have you visited The US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama? What was your favorite activity?
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What a fun place! My kids would love it here!
This is just so cool and I would love to go here! I never got to spend the day and really explore but space stuff always excites me.
This place is fantastic! My kids and grandkids would love to go there. It would be so nice for the grandchildren to experience a trip to the US Space and Rocket center. It would make them want to learn more about Astrology, Engineering and Aeronautics.
My husband would be in heaven at this place. We have visited the Johnson Space Center in Houston, but he’d love to go to Huntsville and Cape Canaveral some day.
I’ve been to Huntsville, but apparently we missed some wonderful places. We’ll put this on the list!
The US Space Rocket Center is a place for kids and adults. I wanna visit there for the Space Academy.
Oh, this looks like so much fun! My daughter is really into space exploration and reading anything having to do with it so I know she would love to go here!
The space camp does sound awesome. I have a son the perfect age for it too.
That sounds like an interesting place to visit. I’ve heard of space camp and that kids that go think it’s a blast.
Our kids would love to visit the US Space and Rocket Center someday! Looks like you had an amazing time!
I dreamed of becoming an astronaut when I was a little girl. However, when I grew up, I learned that to be an astronaut, you have to take a lot of Math subjects. Whoops. Okay, Bye-bye dream. I am now content with watching the stars at night and visiting museums and other places like the space rocket center to learn more about space (without necessarily being an astronaut.)
One of my children is all about space stuff right now. He would adore visiting here, I have no doubt.
This is something I know my boys would really love. Lots to see and learn about. It would be a really cool adventure! – Jeanine
That’s so fun – I love when you can take your mind to that imaginary place and make it real! I tried that once with Star Trek experience in Vegas and I was like, we’re in space!!
Every time someone mentiones Space Camp I go back to that movie. I always thought it would be cool to visit the space and rocket center. Looks like fun.
This looks like a really neat place to take a family and learn some history!
This post brought out the little kid in me. I was always a space enthusiast, but somehow I lost my way. I’d love to visit this place and bring out the little astronaut within me.
Thank you so much for the ideas! My son would be so happy to visit here!
If I get to Alabama I will definitely check this out. We only hear about Houston and Florida when it comes to space travel so this is new to me.
This is so awesome! I think my son would absolutely love to explore this Space Rocket Center. I love to take him to places like this that are fun and educational. We will have to keep this in mind when we plan our next family trip.
The US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville is quite far from where we live. I would be awesome too, if we could visit sometime. My oldest son would the happiest if we do. He’s fascinated with space and the universe that he dreams of naming his future daughter “Zela” (a newly discovered far-away star).
It’s great to know a little bit of history about Huntsvielle and how the place played a crucial role in space exploration.
My kids would absolutely love this! I have been to Nasa in Florida and I love visiting sites like this!
Every kid would love to be an astronaut and visiting the rocket center would be a good way to relive that dream. You also do get to learn a lot of stuff about space there.
This sounds like a lot of fun. I would love to visit here. I love all things science. This would be right up my alley.
I have been wanting to take my daughter there for a while. She’s so into science, she’d totally geek out and have a great time! Lunch with an astronaut would really get her going too 🙂
What a wonderful place! Great educational trip indeed!
My daughter visited here as a field trip some years ago and she really liked it. However, we haven’t gone there as a family yet. I’ll have to plan a trip there sometime!
Wow, they have a lot of cool simulations and exhibits to see! The different camps and academies they have sound like they’d be very rewarding.
The kiddos would love visiting The US Space & Rocket Center in Alabama. It looks like such a fun day trip idea.
This looks like a great place to take the kids. It looks like there is so much to see and do. If I ever get to Huntsville, I will definitely check this out.
Oh my goodness – my son hasn’t shown much interest in space related things yet, but this gets me all excited. I’m bookmarking this for when he’s a bit older.
My oldest is fascinated with space, and always asking questions. This looks amazing, and I would love to try out the family camp!
The Space Rocket Center looks like an educational and fun place to visit. My son would love Space Camp.
This sounds like such an interesting place to visit and as though there would be so much to so and do, Space travel is such an interesting thing.
This looks like a really neat place to visit. I think my son would really enjoy the adult space academy .
I am totally with you on that, it really seems like such an interesting place to get to spend sometime and adult space academy sounds fab!
The Space and Rocket Center is so much fun! We took the kids a couple of years ago, and we all had a blast. You can learn so much there, and it’s a lot more hands on than you would think!
We love hands on places…well, the kids do. It is a great way for them to learn and have fun at the same time.
This sounds like SUCH a cool place to visit. I was at the Kennedy Space center a few years back and think these types of places are SO interesting.