Florida's Kennedy Space Center is planning a mass expansion of its visitor complex, unveiling a five-year masterplan designed to build on the success of its hugely popular space shuttle Atlantis exhibit that opened in 2013.
Mars will be one of the major focuses in the next five years, with a Mars Rover attraction in the works, as well as a new attraction that will very briefly allow visitors to experience zero-gravity or increased G forces similar to that astronauts get on takeoff.
Delaware North, the company which operates both the Visitor Complex and recently relaunched Hall of Fame, say the Mars Rover concept vehicle will be part of a Mars Deep Station attraction, which could open as early as 2021.
The company has also promised “something big” for the Astronaut Hall of Fame,
which last year moved to the visitor complex’s main campus as the new Heroes and Legends addition.
Plans also include an expanded Astronaut Training Experience primarily focused on a simulated mission to Mars, with the facility able to accommodate 176 – up from the current 94. A concept known as "piezoelectric pathways" will also be introduced, meaning pathways between exhibits will become interactive, also creating energy as guests walk over them.
The visitor complex’s Main Street is also in line for an overhaul, with plans for an updated building facade and a bus tour entrance gate resembling the iconic vehicle assembly building.
Finally the Launch Complex 39 observation gantry will be transformed into an activity learning centre that potentially could include interactive activities, a Mars simulation and a launch viewing centre.
