The Space Shuttle Atlantis becomes a tourist attraction

The Space Shuttle Atlantis arrived this week at the Kennedy Space Center where it will start a new life as the main attraction of a permanent exhibition. The Shuttle Launch Experience inauguration is scheduled for July 2013.

Parked in front of a wall, specially opened for her arrival, Atlantis Endeavour’s sister who did parade in Los Angeles will be protected by a special casing while the wall will be rebuilt in time for the scheduled date for the show. At the end it will be 90,000 square meters dedicated to this “beast of space.”

“Beast” that will make a fine show of itself as if it were taking off with the tailgate open to allow any visitors to watch the operation of its robotic arms as we have seen it done many times on TV. Not only the Atlantis but at least 60 other interactive installations will be illustrated during the entire space program including a rocket saturn and some unique artifacts designed to operate in space.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the full name of the center open to the public, is located in Florida, Merritt Island, 90 km east from Orlando. Open all year the entrance fee is $ 50 for adults, $ 40 for children.

Atlantis photos: nasa hq photo, John Milleker Jr., Jeff Scozzafava, Walter Scriptunas II, Jim Wise, Richard Ikerd.