While in Florida, I took a tour of NASA and experienced what it’s like to ride in the Space Shuttle. The Shuttle Launch Experience is the newest attraction at the Kennedy Space Center. Designed to simulate a Shuttle launch, the ride has been a huge hit for NASA.
I’m pretty sure the ride is extremely toned down compare to a real Shuttle launch. I imagine if they made it too realistic, most riders would be losing their lunch. Still, the Shuttle Launch Experience does give you an idea on what it’s like to go into orbit.
No cameras are allowed inside the launch facility. However, I managed to sneak my Flip in and took the following video of the pre-launch instructions. I wasn’t able to film inside the simulator itself because there were surveillance cameras everywhere.
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Looks like an awesome experience. But like you said, probably far from a real launch.
John Chow breaking the rules, yet again. I would also be interested if you gathered the 20 million to go in space..That’s like 50 years of blogging for you
I was really getting in to that. It’s a shame you couldn’t record inside the actual simulator.
How long did the whole ride last, John?
The ride lasted about 4 minutes, which is how long it takes the Shuttle to get into orbit.
I would not of been surprised if this post was about you going on a real shuttle. you’ll be at that mega-rich, space tourist level soon, right? lol.
Sean.
I recently read it costs $20 million for a ticket to actually get into orbit. John might have to raise his ad rates to get to that point.
Did you read that on the second comment behind this post
Oh, I missed that. No I read it in a book entitled Iconoclast by Gregory Berns. It’s a great read.
Wow, this is so cool! I wish I can be there…
You’re becoming a regular outlaw. First stealing t-shirts, then stealing all those Jones Soda’s, and now video taping something you aren’t supposed to be video taping.
If you’re not careful, you might be riding a real space shuttle. When they decide to send you up in one to stay. ha.ha.
BTW, how much stuff is there to do at the Kennedy Space Center? I thought about taking my family there, but I don’t want to go if there isn’t a whole lot to do.
There’s quite a bit of stuff to do there. Well worth your money. Only thing to take care of is that they close quite early, so make sure you get there early in the day so you can take in the 2 IMAX movies and the rest of the centre as well. Take the bus tour as well, it’ll take you around the entire complex.
I’ve been on the same ride John, it’s really cool. Take it in people, it’s supposed to be surprising accurate and it’s well worth it for the price of the ticket.
w00t that was awesome!
loved it!
Nice…way to put yourself out there for us…
I was born in Florida and I’ve lived here my whole life, except for the 6 years I spent in the Navy and I have never been to the space center….is that sad?
Wow that was neat. The video quality on vimeo is wonderful.
John that was very cool. How was the overall experience with the launching?
The overall experience was good. They really back down on the G forces. In a real launch, the crew would experience over 5G of acceleration. The simulator barely did 1.
Almost every time I think of NASA, I think of The Challenger & Columbia Shuttle Disasters. What awful ways to go. I just hope that all of the astronauts died fast. It’s nice to see that NASA are taking huge precautions with future launches now.
Also John – you should check out Virgin Galatic. It’s Richard Branson’s newest creation. The seats are $200,000 a piece & people will be in space for a total of six minutes. They’ll be floating around as well!
Hope you enjoyed your time in Flordia! I figured you’d be filming the women at the beach.
Yeah, looks great, I’m sure you enjoyed. Well done on sneaking the camera in for the introduction anyway.
That looks so cool, I am so going there next time I visit Florida.
RULE BREAKER!!! I’m going to contact NASA and link them to this post!
-Mike
Last time I went to the space center I was 10 years old. Definitely need to go back now.
thank you, at least i can experience it too..
breaking the rule, there is a leak.. NASA what you gonna do?
somebody gonna get hurt real bad.. haha
thank again..
Russell Peters?
That would be supper fun. I’ve never been there.
wow, that sounded like fun. wish I could have a look at that one day.
I’m going to have to check that out, I’m only 45 minutes away. The video was awesome.
That’s awesome John! I’ve always wanted to see a launch myself… just never got down to actually going to do it.
Sounds like quite some fun out there. NASA will be happy that you took this video, as everybody loves free ads. (You may even get paid later with some handy commission from them)
Haha thats great! Its like a Warez cam of the launch lol. That ride looks cool, I would love to go if I am ever in the area. Thanks for sharing!
John,
That is cool!
This is one of my dream to be fulfilled in the future.
Great job! When are you going to get into the “real” orbit?
The ride is actually pretty corny, and wasn’t worth the time wasted waited in line for it..
You should look into Virgin Galatic. That’s as close as you’re going to get to space as long as you’re not an astronaut.
you know …. my brother went to space camp I just stayed home cutting grass. Curse you brother, curse you!!!! But not anymore, I’m heading to FL to be an astro-nut.
Video looks cool , when do you venture into space ? looking forward for the video of your journey in space
I cannot wait to take my family to Florida next spring. Your story sounds like soo much fun! It makes me want to blast off into space!
Great video. Did you get video of the launch? Looks like something Disney would put together.
That looks like a lot of fun. I’ll have to try that next time I’m in Florida.
Way cool man… Blogging all the way to the space!