Join Apollo astronauts for 40th anniversary, and enjoy world's largest MoonPie

Millions of people held their breath while a single man stepped onto the moon’s surface – a journey that began just a short distance from where the Apollo/Saturn V Center stands today. Here at Kennedy Space Center, in a spacious facility featuring a real Saturn V rocket, the Apollo program returns spectacularly to life. The center is a tribute to the Apollo astronauts and the machines that got them there – and brought them home safely.

Join the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on July 16, 2009, in celebrating the 40th Anniversary of mankind’s famous first steps on the moon. Astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Apollo 11; Charlie Duke, Apollo 16; Al Worden, Apollo 15; Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14; and Walt Cunningham, Apollo 7, will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch, and mark the opening of a new exhibit at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, the Apollo Treasures Gallery.

The new Apollo Treasures Gallery showcases treasures from the Apollo moon missions, including Apollo 14 Commander Alan Shepard’s space suit along with a rare collection of space suits and other gear used by the Apollo moonwalkers to explore the lunar surface. Also on display is Apollo 16 astronaut John Young’s cuff check list with instructions on how to deploy the American flag on the moon and Apollo 13’s space suit repair kit and service module rescue book.

Also that day, Buzz Aldrin will sign copies of his new book, Magnificent Desolation: The Long Journey Home From the Moon, at the main Visitor Complex from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The new book recounts his harrowing journey to the moon – and the longer, more arduous road he had to travel once back on Earth.

At 2 p.m. in the Rocket Garden you’ll also be able to enjoy one of the world’s largest MoonPies. The MoonPie is 40 inches in diameter, six inches tall and weighs 55 pounds – a total of six pounds of chocolate and 14 pounds of marshmallow.

All events are included with your Visitor Complex admission. You must arrive by 10 a.m. to be processed through security and transported via bus to the Apollo event site.