12.) Apollo 11 is at the Smithsonian, and Apollo 13 is at the Kansas Cosmosphere. We do have Wally Schirra’s Sigma 7 Mercury capsule, and Apollo 14 “Kitty Hawk” that flew Alan Sheperd to the moon. We also have a real Gemini capsule, one of 3 remaining Saturn V rockets, and a host of actual rockets-though ones that haven’t flewn before (or they would be burned up).

We also have an Astronaut Training Experience where people get to spend half a day training like the astronauts do–somewhat. You get to meet and have a photo taken with an astronaut, have a private Q&A with them, do computer-based ISS module installation training, training on the Multi-Axis Trainer (the spinny-thing from Space Camp the movie), training on our Micro-gravity Wall simulating walking in space, and a simulated space shuttle mission in our full-scale shuttle orbiter.

The ATX is what I work on primarily and it is a lot of fun. I get to meet really great people and listen to the astronauts talk about their experiences. My favorite is COL Bob Springer, USMC (ret.), a 2 time shuttle astronaut. I work with him all the time, and he was a letter of recommendation for me for the US Navy Officer programs. They are all great people and really down to Earth (pardon the pun). ATX is worth checking out if any of you come down this way.

The only downside was that Trek 2009 was playing at the IMAX theater that is on the KSC grounds, but my daughter was spooked by the notion of the movie she had seen in the previews and didn’t want to watch it. So, no Trek in IMAX for Dad. Alas.

Anyone who is in the Orlando area and has a day to invest in the Center, I’d highly recommend it. I can only imagine how cool it would be to witness a launch.