Visit A Huntsville Classic: The U.S. Space & Rocket Center

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC) is truly a local treasure. As the Official Visitor Center for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the USSRC is the proud home to one of the world’s largest collections of rockets and space memorabilia. And it’s right here in Huntsville, Alabama! If you aren’t familiar with the history and things to experience at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, here’s what you need to know.

History

Huntsville owes its reputation for advancement in the aerospace industry largely to Dr. Wernher von Braun and his team of rocket scientists. It was here that he and his team worked on the giant Saturn V rocket that sent Apollo astronauts to the moon. As director of the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Von Braun proposed a plan to the Alabama Legislature to create a museum. The MSFC, along with the U.S. Army Missile Command and NASA, opened the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s doors to the public in 1970. Since then almost 17 million people, including 650,000 students, have toured the Center.

What to Do

The U.S. Space & Rocket Center features rotating exhibits from all over the world, so it’s best to check their website for current exhibits and what’s coming soon. Attractions include the Our Place in Space virtual tour in the INTUITIVE® Planetarium and the Apollo 11 Virtual Reality experience. You can experience what it’s like to fly an F-18 Super Hornet, as well as take a tumble in the Multi-Axis Trainer. A fan favorite is the G-Force Accelerator, where you can experience three times the force of gravity. There’s also the Moon Shot which shows you what a rocket launch really feels like as it shoots you 140 feet into the air in 2.5 seconds.

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Make a Day of It

There’s more than enough fun and excitement to keep would-be astronauts of all ages entertained at USSRC. We suggest planning to spend the entire day taking in all that it has to offer. Enjoy lunch at the Mars Grill or one of the Center’s concession stands. And don’t forget to check out the gift shop. You’ll definitely want to take home a souvenir to remind you of this memorable experience.

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