Details of Space Shuttle Atlantis 10th anniversary at Kennedy Space Center
June 29, 2023 is the 10th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction, and the Kennedy Space Center will mark the occasion with an astronaut-filled event included with admission.
On July 8, 2011, Space Shuttle Atlantis blasted off from Kennedy Space Center for the final Space Shuttle launch. Two years after that final flight, Kennedy Space Center ushered in a new era as the an attraction dedicated to the shuttle opened to the public and celebrated NASA’s Space Shuttle Program.
10th Anniversary Panels
The centerpiece of the 10th anniversary event will be two live, in-person panel discussions on July 8, 2023, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Visitors will hear first-hand accounts from veteran astronauts who flew aboard Atlantis.
NASA Astronauts currently scheduled to attend include:
- Richard “Mike” Mullane (STS-41-D, STS-27, STS-36 and STS-62-A)
- Anna Fisher (STS-51-A)
- William “Bill” Shepard (STS-27 and U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame member)
- Guy Gardner (STS-27, STS-35 and STS-62-A)
- Mike Baker (STS-81, STS-52, STS-68 and STS-43)
- Jim Reilly (STS-117, STS-104 and STS-89)
- Chris Ferguson (STS-135, STS-126, STS-115, Boeing Crewed Flight Test, STS-400 and U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame member)
After the discussion, guests can take photos alongside the astronauts with Atlantis in the background.
Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center
The Space Shuttle Atlantis display at Kennedy Space Center is a world-class attraction with a cinematic reveal sure to give anyone who sees it goosebumps (and maybe even cause some to shed a tear).
Entering the top floor, visitors see the shuttle as it would have flown in space – cargo bay doors open and Canadarm fully extended. Throughout the hall are over 60 interactive and immersive exhibits sharing the inside story of Atlantis’ 33 missions. Sit in a replica of the cockpit, crawl through a connector tube, jog on the treadmill, or even inspect a space toilet.
After exploring the exhibits, head to the Shuttle Launch Experience – described as the “next best thing to an actual space shuttle launch.”
There, you’ll receive a pre-launch briefing by veteran space shuttle commander Charles Bolden and then experience the sights, sounds, and sensations of blasting into space aboard the space shuttle. Finally, spend time at Forever Remembered, a touching memorial that reminds us of who were the people who lost their lives during the Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia missions.
For more information about visiting and ticket prices, head to KennedySpaceCenter.com.
