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Open: 9 AM to 5 PM
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Astronaut Encounter

  • Included with Admission
  • Wheelchair Accessible
  • Check Daily Schedule For Showtimes
  • Allow 45 minutes
Female astronaut presenting at The Astronaut Encounter.
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Hear Stories From the Source

Each day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, you get the rare opportunity to meet a veteran NASA astronaut. During Astronaut Encounter, commanders, pilots, mission and payload specialists who have lived and worked in space share their experiences during a live presentation and question & answer session. You may also visit the Astronaut of the Day at The Space Shop or Shuttle Express for his or her autograph.

Take a look at the Event Calendar to see who the Astronaut of the Day on the date of your visit. Upon arrival, be sure to check the Daily Schedule for show times and autograph opportunity times and locations.

This presentation is located in Universe Theater.

Man and woman talking to an astronaut during the astronaut encounter attraction

Meet An Astronaut

Learn how you can meet a real veteran NASA astronaut each day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

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Astronaut talking to a group of visitors siting at a table during Chat With An Astronaut at Kennedy Space Center

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Enjoy food and drinks in a casual setting while asking a NASA astronaut your most pressing questions.

  • Allow 1 hours
Space Shuttle Atlantis from the nose of the shuttle.

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Experience Atlantis up close, the only space shuttle displayed in flight, with 60+ interactive exhibits celebrating NASA's Shuttle Program.

  • Allow 1 hours
Bus tour

Behind the Gates

Gain exclusive access to historic launch sites and operational spaceflight facilities on the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour.

  • Allow 3 hours
Heroes And Legends attraction

Heroes and Legends

Celebrate NASA's early space pioneers who inspired a nation. Heroes & Legends, presented by Boeing®, also features the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®.

  • Allow 30 minutes
The Deep Space Launch Complex® Immerse yourself in what is happening right now in our space program, and in the future of deep space exploration. See real spacecraft and learn what it may be like to live beyond Earth’s orbit. (Private groups only.)

Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex®

Experience the present and future of space exploration with authentic spacecraft, futuristic prototypes, and immersive displays from NASA and its partners.

  • Allow 45 minutes