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Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Photo Kim Shiflett –

Top 10 Astonishing Facts about the Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center is one of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration launch sites. It is a major tourist attraction in Florida that not only takes part in space exploration but is also involved in the research and development of innovations needed to support life in space. 

Kennedy Space Center is of the 10 NASA field centers. It enjoys the presence of millions of individuals on a yearly basis. Let us now explore the top 10 astonishing facts about Kennedy Space Center.

1. It hosted the launching of the famous Apollo 11

At 9:32 a.m. EDT, the swing arms move away and a plume of flame signals the liftoff of the Apollo 11 Saturn V space vehicle and astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A. Photo by NASA; restored by Michel Vuijlsteke –

Kennedy Space Center was the location where Apollo 11, an American spaceflight, launched its journey to the moon. Apollo 11 was launched on July 16^th, 1969 at 13:32 UTC.

 Piloted by Buzz Aldrin with Sir Neil Armstrong onboard, Apollo 11 was launched by a Saturn v rocket from Kennedy Space Center on Merrit Island, Florida. It landed on the moon on July 20^th, 1969 at 20:17 UTC. Neil Armstrong became the first person to step on the moon’s surface. This fulfilled the national goal proposed by President John Kennedy in 1961.

2. It is named after President John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy, former President of the United States. Photo by U.S. Navy –

The effort taken by the Americans to send off astronauts to the moon was inspired by an appeal made by President John F Kennedy. This was during the special joint congress session on May 25^th, 1961 where the president made a speech.

President John F Kennedy stated his belief in achieving the goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth.

This idea was welcomed by Americans. Five years later, the first unmanned Apollo mission took place after numerous work by international scientists, engineers, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

3. It hosts the Kennedy Space Center Visitors’ Complex

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in February 2022. Photo by Benoît Prieur –

The 1961 news of a successful launch saw an increase in the public and press presence in the Cape Canaveral area. These people sought to witness the historical event.

The demand was so huge that the Texas Congressman Olin Teague, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight asked the National Aeronautics and Space Administration James Webb to create a visitors’ program. A drive-through was established from where individuals caught a glimpse of the launch pads and facilities.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex was established in April 2012. It features a grand plaza and fountain, ticket booths, and voyages retail shops. Between 2013 and 2015 it hosted temporary exhibits such as Angry Birds Space Encounter.

4. It serves as a wildlife sanctuary

An alligator soaks up the sun near the turn basin in Launch Complex 39 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The turn basin provides a haven for birds and other wildlife during the mild winter months along the Space Coast. Photo by Chris Chamberland –

Kennedy Space Center is located in the middle of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. This is next to Canaveral National Seashore, one of the largest wildlife preserves in Florida.

This refuge hosts one of the highest numbers of endangered species in the United States of America. Over 300 species of birds are in the sanctuary while wildlife includes bobcats, bald eagles, otters, manatees, alligators, Florida panthers, and sea turtles. Before the launching of any shuttles, a crew is assigned the task of clearing the runway since alligators sunning themselves is a common sight.

5. Millions of people visit the Kennedy Space Center annually.

The Kennedy Space Center is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the United States. It was voted the 8^th best museum in the United States in 2016.

Each year, more than 1.5 million people visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex curious to explore the adventurous past, present, and future of the Kennedy Space Center.

6. It is located in an area prone to electrical storms

The Kennedy Space Center is located in an area that provides ideal conditions for electrical storms. Therefore, lightning protection and detection devices have been set in place to protect employees, structures, and spacecraft on launch pads. Apollo 12 was struck by lightning on 14^th November after take-off from pad 39A.

The flight however continued safely. The most powerful lightning strike occurred at LC-39B on August 25^th, 2006. This was while shuttle Atlantis was being prepared for STS-115. It also documented that the Kennedy Space Center was damaged by Hurricane Wilma in October 2005.

7. It is involved in food production research

The Kennedy Space Center is involved in in-situ resource utilization for exploration off the earth. This involves the collection and processing of materials found in other astronomical spaces like the moon to utilize them to replace items that would otherwise have to be brought in from the earth.

This is a step taken to reduce the cost of space exploration and encourage more exploration generally. There is ongoing research meant to enable scientists to grow certain types of food in space.

8. It hosts the launching of numerous manned NASA space flights

The Kennedy Space Center remains NASA’s primary launch center since 1968 for human spaceflight. It hosted the launching operations of Apollo, Skylab, and Space Shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39.

9. It has a 535-foot Vehicle Assembly Building

An aerial view of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex where the space shuttle Atlantis exhibit and attraction is under construction. Photo by Kim Shiflett –

The Kennedy Space Center has more than 700 structures and buildings. It is situated on 144,00 acres of land. The Vehicle Assembly Building is used to stack NASA’s largest rockets.

It also has the Launch Control Center that conducts space launches and the Operations and Checkout Building that houses dormitories for astronauts and the area for suiting up.

10. It offers the Kennedy Space Center and Space Camp

This is a weeklong and overnight program that is offered for kids and adults. It offers motion-based space simulations, team-building space exploration activities, and question and answer sessions with astronauts.

Activities are led by trained and certified teachers and educators. These are programs meant to encourage young people to venture into space exploration.