The Gantry at LC-39 at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
The Gantry at LC-39 is a bus tour addition at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The new attraction sits just a mile from Launch Complex 39A.
- Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to open “The Gantry at LC-39,” a new bus tour stop offering closer views of the launch pad.
- The Gantry features a simulated rocket engine experience and interactive exhibits.
- Visitors can learn about rocket engineering and design their own virtual rockets.
A new stop on the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex bus tour is now open — one which gets the public closer to the launch pad than ever before.
Situated just a mere mile from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A, The Gantry at LC-39 is the latest attraction to drop at the Visitor Complex. Part of the bus tour, which is included with admission, guests will be treated to a view of the launch pad looming in the distance as they approach the new stop.
Visitors can choose to stay on the bus to proceed to the Apollo Saturn V Center or they can exit at the new stop, which also offers an immersive rocket experience.
“You get to learn about engineering. You get to build a rocket. You get to learn what it takes for different types of missions − which engines to pick, how much fuel to pick, and payload capacity you need in order to make that launch successful,” said Chief Operating Officer of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Therrin Protze.
Those who chose to exit the bus will be greeted by a four-story structure, which features a huge rocket engine that “ignites” as guest stand underneath to feel the rumble. Not to worry: it simply lights up and sprays steam at a refreshing 62 degrees.
Guests can climb the stairs of the gantry and take in informational features, as well as views of the sounding launch pads. Binoculars are available to provide a closer look of Launch Complex 39A, which saw astronauts launch on a journey to the moon and continues to see astronauts take off to this day.
Of course, the rising SpaceX Starship tower is also visible. Starship is anticipated to launch − and return to − the site in the coming years.
As guests climb to the top floor, they are greeted by an air-conditioned room which houses an interactive exhibit. This includes a game where guests can engineer their own rocket − right down to the rocket paint color of their choosing. Once choices are made, the rocket launches on the screen above them, and the success stats of the mission are provided.
The experience is guided by the friendly voice of an artificial intelligence system named Sol.
There is a cool hidden history aspect. The seats in this interactive room are made from the pistons of a launch crawler’s engines — the actual launch crawler that carried NASA rockets to the launch pad.
Off to the side is a brand new launch viewing area with bleachers and a large screen. Guests will be able to pay for viewings of launches from Launch Complex 40 and 41. Details of the pricing are unknown at this time.
Due to the close proximity to Launch Complex 39A, the attraction will not be available during launches from there.
There is also a nearby Earth Information Center, which offers guests a short film on NASA Earth Science.
The exhibit is available as a stop on the bus tour as of July 10.
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.