
This is a mockup of the launch escape system for the Orion capsule |

Topaz was impressed with the size of the VAB |

I've been here before but it's always so great to be back |

This is the actual gantry and white room from launchpad 39-A! Hundreds of astronauts walked across this before launching |

The gantry has seen better days |

What used to connect here? |

The white room! |

This is an alarmingly enormous bug |

This is the part of the white room that would go up against the shuttle hatch |

I guess they just leave this mockup lying around |

I couldn't not pose with the white room |

Topaz too! |

This is where the magic happens |

I believe it's one big SRB that vents through four exhaust nozzles |

A lot of really cool things have happened in that building on and on this gantry |

This is that funny little armored vehicle the astronauts would use if they had to escape a dangerous situation on the pad. Mostly I think they just had fun driving it around in training |

Big doors on the VAB |

Looking down the gantry at the white room doors |

Ssshhh, it's a secret! |

One of the OPFs, orbiter processing facilities. I believe this one is now being used for commercial space flight companies. |

NASA gave a bunch of blank shuttle models to artists to paint and you could find several around KSC |

The other mobile launch platform, this time without the crawler. It makes it easier to see them as distinct structures. |

Ah yes, back at the Saturn V |

We came in through the back door but I had Topaz look at the ground until we got to the back so he could have the same "holy crap" experience as everyone else |

Raw power |

It's really difficult to capture the scale properly in a photo |

Looking into the old astrovan |

Topaz checking out the Saturn V |

Got to keep those engines in place.. |

So much work went into the cooling channels built into the engine bell |

I challenged Topaz to lift a tread of the crawler.. without slipping a disc |

The back of the second stage. J-2 engines! |

An authentic lunar module! It's a tragedy it's here and not on the moon but it's pretty cool to see |

The back of the third stage only has one engine |

Looking back at the top of the tanks for the second stage |

Lunar rover! |

One of Gene Cernan's space suits! I believe this was for training |

The Apollo 14 command module Kitty Hawk. This is the actual vehicle! |

Jim Lovell's actual flight suit from Apollo 13 |

Alan Shepard's space suit. I believe this is actually the one he wore on the moon. |

It's so incredible seeing the actual artifacts in person |

A page of mission rules that flew to the moon on Apollo 17 |

A checklist from Apollo 10 |

I'm not sure what this notebook is from |

Topaz was super excited to touch a piece of the moon |

I was super excited to get out of this weird corner |

Back to the main visitor complex! |

This simulator stunk |

Well hello again! |

Looking up at the foreward section of Atlantis from the ground |

The critical RCC panels on the leading edge of the wing |

I love zooming in to this shot.. you can see how the parts of the wing fit together so they could move |

Atlantis' left wingtip |

Hey, there's the bridge I watched both my launches from! |