Dine with an Astronaut
One of the coolest benefits of visiting the Space Coast is the chance to meet a real astronaut, many of whom have retired to the same area where they once worked. Although old-timers like Jim Lovell and Story Musgrave have eagerly appeared, it’s likely to be a veteran of the space shuttle program; recent leaders included Anna Fisher, the first mother in space, and Norm Thagard, the first American to fly in a Russian spacecraft (upcoming astronauts are posted on the KSC site).
Typically, these astronauts love basking in fandom and in reliving old tales of glory—and unlike out-to-pasture sportsmen, they really did risk their lives the way heroes are supposed to—so these small-group sessions are geared toward questions. Every month or so, KSC also mounts Fly with an Astronaut ($206 adults, $181 kids; 4 hr.), during which an astronaut actually conducts your tour of the complex where he or she once worked.
The program was suspended, but not cancelled, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, so check the KSC schedule to see if it's happening when you're there.
One of the coolest benefits of visiting the Space Coast is the chance to meet a real astronaut, many of whom have retired to the same area where they once worked. Although old-timers like Jim Lovell and Story Musgrave have eagerly appeared, it’s likely to be a veteran of the space shuttle program; recent leaders included Anna Fisher, the first mother in space, and Norm Thagard, the first American to fly in a Russian spacecraft (upcoming astronauts are posted on the KSC site).
Typically, these astronauts love basking in fandom and in reliving old tales of glory—and unlike out-to-pasture sportsmen, they really did risk their lives the way heroes are supposed to—so these small-group sessions are geared toward questions. Every month or so, KSC also mounts Fly with an Astronaut ($206 adults, $181 kids; 4 hr.), during which an astronaut actually conducts your tour of the complex where he or she once worked.
The program was suspended, but not cancelled, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, so check the KSC schedule to see if it's happening when you're there.
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