Virtual tour of new Space Shuttle Atlantis
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After a long and successful career rocketing off into space, the Space Shuttle Atlantis is docking permanently at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida to serve as a tourist attraction for astro-philes.
Tilted on its side to simulate in-space travel, Atlantis still bears the scars, scorch marks and ‘space dust’ of its last mission. Its payload bay doors are also open to provide a glimpse of the shuttle interior.
Take a virtual tour of the $100 million attraction which includes more than 60 interactive, multimedia features including touch-screen activities and high-tech simulators that allow visitors to conduct a visrtual space walk and experience the sensation of floating in space.
Solid rocket booster crane lift at the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction
Cranes install two full-size, high-fidelity solid rocket boosters to create a dramatic gateway for visitors.
The Space Shuttle Atlantis opened to the public over the weekend.
A view of the Space Shuttle Atlantis tilted at a 43-degree angle with its payload bay doors open as if it has just undocked from the International Space Station
A full-size, 13-meter long (43 feet) replica cuts through two levels of the attraction and is accompanied by a short film highlighting the successes and setbacks of one of NASA’s four great observatories.