The Kennedy Space Centre in Florida is about to launch its newest attraction with the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit set to open 29 June.
The 90,000sq ft (8,361sq m), US$100m (£65.6m, €77.6m) attraction will feature a 360-degree, multi-level view of the Atlantis, which was the fourth operational (and the penultimate) Space Shuttle to be constructed by Rockwell International in Southern California.
It is the first time the public will be able to be arm's length away from what is considered one of the most complex machines ever built.
The Atlantis launched for its final voyage on 8 July 2011 and returned home successfully on 21 July 2011, when it landed at the Kennedy Space Centre where it will now be exhibited.
The centre has predicted a 12 per cent increase in attendance with the opening of the exhibit, meaning related admission and retail revenue should see a similar increase.
The exhibition will feature more than 60 interactive exhibits including 21 flight simulators, an exhibit on the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station gallery.
