CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla – With the shuttle era over, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is focusing on the many amazing unmanned missions that launch just next door. The latest will be the Gravity Recovery And Interior Laboratory – better known as GRAIL. GRAIL is currently slated to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 17 this Thursday at 8:37 a.m. EDT.
The Visitor Complex has numerous events planned to coincide with the GRAIL launch. Scientists, Star Trek actors and even one of the twelve men who walked on the moon will be there to inspire, entertain – and inform. Here is what one can expect to see at the Visitor Complex on launch day.
8:37 a.m. – The launch of the twin GRAIL spacecraft on the last Delta II to launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
10:30 a.m. – At the Astronaut Encounter Theater – Apollo 16 Lunar Module Pilot Charlie Duke will talk about his time exploring the lunar surface.
12-5 p.m. – Throughout the day guests can take part in discussions with scientists over at the Mission Status Center as part of a live webcast.
12:15 p.m. – Lunch With an Astronaut with Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke.
1 p.m. – Astronaut Encounter Theater – Learn more about space exploration from space experts, such as astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium; and Steven W. Lee, Department Chair and Curator of Planetary Science at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
1:30 p.m. Charlie Duke will be at the Space Shop signing copies of his book.
2:30 p.m. Star Trek’s Lieutentant Uhura, Nichelle Nichols, will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the first airing of the Star Trek series by signing autographs and taking photographs with visitors at a recreation of the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise from the television show that is currently on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
For more information visit: www.kennedyspacecenter.comor call: 321-449-4444.