Free Free Free Dear’s finally FREE from SolidWorks World 2009 Conference as of today!! And he’s mine to have for the rest of our remaining days here in Orlando Florida USA! Happy Happy Happy I’m extremely HAPPY & so is Dear as he can now see more of Florida starting today heheh!!

Dear’s standing at the Lobby of Quality Inn International where we’ve been staying for the past 6 days :

Kennedy Space Centre - YES that’s where Dear & I will be visiting today as we’ve already booked our Tour with Gray Line Orlando 3 days ago at the Tour Desk here in Quality Inn International :

The Kennedy Space Centre Tour (inclusive of Hotel Pick-up & Send-off) costs us each US$95, & with Tax included, is about $155 Singapore dollar - WOW that’s a grand total of S$310 & that’s not cheap at all!!

And sharply at 7.30am, our Gray Line Tour Bus arrives at the Hotel to pick up Dear & I :

Here’s a pic of the well-known Orange County Convention Centre in Orlando - view from onboard our Gray Line Tour Bus :

Our Tour Bus’s now going to a few Hotels to pick up more passengers, & my heart goes out to an elderly American White couple who missed their Tour Bus to Miami which had already left an hour ago at 7am!!

Apparently, the couple has gotten the wrong timing & mistaken our Tour Bus to Kennedy Space Centre (that leaves at 8am from their Hotel) to be the one leaving for Miami - Poor them cos that 7am Miami Bus was the only Bus leaving today, & I believe they must be really disappointed at their plan of visiting the Coastal City fouled.

Haha Miami, that’s where Dear & I are also supposed to go today if we’d not changed our mind & cancelled our Trip…………

Anyway, here’s an interesting Signboard at a Hotel river that reads “NO WADDING, NO SWIMMING & DO NOT FEED ALLIGATORS” - hahah Dear & I wonder if there’re really Alligators in there!?!?!!

Good morning Orlando as our Tour Bus joins in the peak-hour traffic flowing by the streets of Orlando lined up with Bargain World & Disney Souvenir Shops :

We also pass by the Entry to Walt Disney World Resort - heheh Dear & I have had so much fun in there - love that place lots lots :)))

Here’s our Gray Line Bus Driver cracking jokes as he introduces Kennedy Space Centre to us :

After almost 2 hours later at 9.30am, we arrive at the US Astronaut Hall of Fame located at Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex (part of the Visitor Complex) in Titusville, Florida :

Here’s my English Visitor Guide to Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex :

Heheh Dear & I are very excited to be visiting the world-famous Kennedy Space Centre - especially Dear who’s always been fasinated with Spaceships & had even wanted to become an Astronaut when he was a young boy!!

Dear’s also often heard me talk about my Visits to Johnson Space Centre in Houston Texas, as well as the National Air & Space Museum in Washington DC, with my Family many years ago!

Let me show you some pics of my time spent in Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas USA with Mom & Dad :

Hahah that’s ME all-suited up in a NASA Astronaut Spacesuit “Flying in Space” :

Pics of Me, Mom, Dad & Sis at the National Air & Space Museum (of the Smithsonian Institution) in Washington DC, USA :

“Hey Dear look at the huge Space Shuttle outside the US Astronaut Hall of Fame!!” Hahah I gasp for breath as I love it so much cos I’ve got its miniature replica Space Shuttle Souvenir Magnet heheh!!!

Let’s see my United States of America NASA Space Shuttle Souvenir Magnet - one of many American & Canadian Souvenir Magnets that my Nephew & his Girl brought home for me last month :

Scheduled to retire from service in 2010, NASA’s Space Shuttle (officially called Space Transportation System or STS) is the Spacecraft currently used by the government of United States of America for its human Spaceflight missions.

Simply captivated by it, here’re more pics of my Space Shuttle Souvenir Magnet taken from different angles :

Let’s get back here to the US Astronaut Hall of Fame located at Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex (part of the Visitor Complex) in Titusville, Florida :

Many lovely Florida Palm Trees around the US Astronaut Hall of Fame :

We’re now inside the US Astronaut Hall of Fame - Opened on 28 Oct 1990 featuring the World’s largest collection of Personal Astronaut Memorabilias, & a place where Space Travellers could be much remembered & honored.

Pic of Kennedy Space Centre Admission & Guided Tour Packages Details :

Dear’s now standing beside The Spirit of Space - Alan B. Shephard Jr. Memorabilia :

Here’s a close-up view of the Lifesize Bronze Statue of The First American in Space - Alan B. Shephard Jr. - Alan was also to become one of 12 men to Walk on the Moon :

To the right of The Spirit of Space - Alan B. Shephard Jr. Memorabilia reads :

And to the left it says :

See the following majestic Painting done by Astronaut Alan Bean in year 1997 :

And the Americans are truely proud to have their Flag & 100 Space Voyages between 1961 - 1995 displayed here at the US Astronaut Hall of Fame :

Right behind the above Flag & 100 Space Voyages is the following Model display :

We’re now entering the US Astronaut Hall of Fame Exhibits Gallery :

And settling down comfortably on the seats provided in a Theatre Room, we begin to watch a Video on the History of Human Space Flights with the theme : “To Seek, To Discover, To Explore - Join Them - To Honor, To Remember, To Explore” :

Here’s a Video of the above mentioned, self-taken by Me - Hope you like it :)))

One of America’s original Mercury Seven Astronauts - Gus Grissom - the First American to go into Space twice (also the Commander of the ill-fated Apollo 1 which resulted in the first American deaths in the Space History), wore this below Spacesuit during Mercury Redstone 4, launched on 21 July 1961 using a Redstone Rocket :

Mercury Training Couch specially custom-made for Mercury Seven Astronaut Donald K. “Deke” Slayton to help him cope with the high-acceleration “G-forces” of riding Missiles into Space :

More pics of Gallery Exhibits in the US Astronaut Hall of Fame showing LIFE Magazines featuring the honorable NASA Astronauts & their proud Wifes :

Another orginal Mercury Seven Astronauts - John Glenn became the First American to orbit the Earth in 1962. And 26 years later at the age of 77, John spent 9 days in Space aboard Space Shuttle Discovery :

Haha look how elated-looking Dear is taking over commands of the Space Control Station :

And Dear seems really enjoying his role here heheh……………..

Let us now look at the GEMINI EXHIBIT :

The United States of America Gemini Spacecraft - Named after the constellation of the Twins, was the First Multi-manned Spacecraft in America that supported 2 men & equipments for Long-Duration Spaceflights, & later Trips to the Moon & Deeper Space.

And the first to be able to change its orbit & to effect Rendezvous & Docking, & to allow Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) or “SpaceWalking” :

The Gemini Spacecraft operated between Projects Mercury & Apollo with 10 manned Flights between 1965 & 1966, resulting in United States taking the lead over Soviet Union in Manned Spaceflight - here’s view of the 2-manned Gemini :

Close-up view of its Left interior :

Close-up view of its Right interior :

Dear with the 2-manned Gemini Spacecraft :

The following shows The Bridge Exhibits in the Gemini Project Program :

Here’s a an interesting LOST MAIL through Space Gallery Exhibits with its 4 original Gemini Cachet Cover Envelopes :

Dear’s now standing beside NASA (National Aeronautics & Space Administration) Mercury Spacecraft Sigma 7 - the First flawless Mercury Mission which completed 6 Earth Orbits piloted by Astronaut Wally Schirra :

Dear’s peeping into the interior of Sigma 7 behind the little red-white capped American girl :

Here’re close-up views of Sigma 7 interior with it’s 2 Ejection Seats (in case of emergency), & its Command Pilot’s Station which Dear keeps commenting that the compartment’s so small!!

Shown below from left to right is Astronaut Commander Gus Grissom, who was killed along with fellow Astronaut Ed White & Roger B. Chaffee, when Apollo 1 Command Module caught fire & burned on the Launchpad during a Training exercise & Pre-launch Test at Cape Kennedy on Jan 27, 1967 :

A Job To Do Exhibits :

Moon Rocket Exhibits :

Stepping further into the US Astronaut Hall of Fame……………

Dear’s now standing infront of Apollo 14 Command Module - Kitty Hawk - which had travelled 1,000,000 miles to the Moon & back :

Close-up view of interior Apollo 14 Command Module - Kitty Hawk :

Dear & I marvel in awe as we explore the very interesting Exhibits……………..

A Replica of the 4.1 billion-year-old Genesis Rock (a piece of the Moon’s Crystalline Crust) is shown below - discovered by Commander David Scott during Apollo 15, & a Sample Bag Dispenser used by Astronauts to hold their Geological Finds during Apollo Missions 12 & 14 :

The Road To The Star Gallery with its intricate Exhibits :

Here’s the Apollo Lunar Lander (part of the Apollo 11 Spacecraft) from where Astronaut Neil Armstrong descended & landed on the Moon on 20 July 1969 saying the words “That’s one Small step for a Man, but a Giant leap for Mankind” :

Next we see the charming “Skies of Tomorrow” created by Artist Joshua Di Rocco with Sponsor - Astronaut Scholarship Foundation :

We’re now looking at NASA Spacesuits :

NASA Flight Suit & Boots worn by Pilot Robert Crippen onboard STS-1 :

More descriptions of NASA Spacesuits :

Heheh it’s really enjoyable in here as Dear & I get really excited looking around the US Astronaut Hall of Fame :

A frequent flyer onboard the Space Shuttle, this below Tool Box contains Tools for Spacewalks, Repair & Maintenance :

Here’s a Contingency Saw which would come in handy for Astronauts onboard the Space Shuttle :

We’re now into the Next Steps - Dawn of A New Era in Space Travel Exhibits :

The following shows the Space Transportation System (STS) - a Spacecraft currently used by the US government for its Human Spaceflight Missions. Included in the STS is a Rust-colored External Tank (ET) used to fuel the Crewed Orbiter’s main engines during Launch, & 2 White-colored slender Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) which are used by the Space Shuttle (or Orbiter) during the first 2 mins of powered flight.

And right below the STS is the Crawler-Transporter - a Tracked Vehicle used to transport the Space Shuttle from NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) along the Crawlerway to the Launch Complex.

Hey I’ve actually seen the gigantic version of this STS & Crawler-Transporter at the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas USA - here’s a pic of them with Myself, Mom & Dad :

It’s time now for the High Flying Fashion Exhibits Gallery :

Here’s a Cap worn by Commander Frederick Gregory on Orbit on STS-33 & STS-44, representing the 1964 Class of the United States Air Force Academy, as well as his personal self-written Note Cards which he shared with his loved ones back home via Video Communication while he was onboard STS-44 :

Below’s a Kitchen Gallery showing a Modular Unit with Hot & Cold Water Dispensers & Oven which uses Waste Heat from the Orbitor’s electric generators (Auxiliary Power Units or APU) to warm the Space Food :

And interesting Rehydratable Foods such as Scrambled Eggs, Cheese Spread, Yogurt & other delicious delights all come to life with addition of some warm water - truely amazing making the Astronauts most satisfied :

And here’s a Mock-Up of a Coca-Cola Machine flown on STS-77 in 1996 - hahah what a GREAT wonder & since both Dear & I are Coke LOVERS we must definitely have this should we travel to Space!!! Haha WE travel to SPACE?!? Just dreaming - in our next next next zillion lives may be!!

Named after American Astronomer Edwin Hubble - the following Exhibit shows the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) which is a Space Telescope carried into Orbit by the Space Shuttle STS-31 in April 1990. It’s one of the largest & most versatile, well-known as both a vital Research Tool & a Public Relations boon, for Astronomy.

A Collaboration between NASA & the European Space Agency, the HST is one of NASA’s Great Observatories.

More Intriguing Exhibits :

More inspiring & very honorable Exhibits :

Launched on 16 January 2003, Columbia STS-107 was a Multi-disciplinary Microgravity & Earth Science Research Space Shuttle Mission (with multitude of international scientific investigations) conducted continuously during 16 days in Orbit.

However on the unfateful 1 February 2003, the 7-member Crew onboard Columbia STS-107 perished when the Shuttle disintegrated during re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere :

Launched at Kennedy Space Centre here in Florida on 28 January 1986, Challenger STS-51L marked the First Time a Civilian (Sharon Christa McAuliffe - A Teacher in Space) had flown aboard the Space Shuttle.

But just only 73 sec after its Lift-off, the Mission ended in disaster with the distruction of Challenger, killing all its 7-member Crew :

Dear & I are now exploring the Simulating Space Station where one takes control with hands-on activities & simulators here at the US Astronaut Hall of Fame :

Pic of the Earth’s Orbit Simulator :

Here’s a United States of America Space Capsule, which is a manned Spacecraft without any Wings or features - a specified form for the Crew Exploration Vehicle, & it’s able to communicate with people back on Earth, or mission control :

And again Dear is saying that the compartment inside this Space Capsule is so so tiny!!

Here’s the same cutie red-white capped American girl with her Dad working on “Designing Rocket” at Simulation Space :

And the following’s the “ROCKET LAUNCH” simulator :

The Spacewalk, Spacework simulation quarters where you can experience what & how it’s like to be travelling in Space :

Another American HOT-PINK girl watching the Space Shuttle Landing Simulator in actions :

Then driving a Rover (or Space Exploration Vehicle) across the rocky Mars terrain :

Next we see KC-135 The “Vomit Comet” - nickname for Airplane which provides Weightless Environment to train Astronauts, conduct Research & film Motion Pictures :

Introduced in 1957, & known as the “Moonwatch“, this below Omega Speedmaster is the First Watch worn on the Moon by American Aviator & Astronaut Buzz Aldrin on 20 July 1969, as well as Astronaut Neil Armstrong who left his Watch inside the Landing Module “Eagle” during his famous First Moon Walk :

Below pic shows the G-Suit which is worn by Aviators & Astronauts who are subject to High levels of Acceleration Force - Designed to prevent a Black-Out or Acceleration force-induced Loss of Consciousness due to the Blood pooling in the lower part of the body when under acceleration, thus depriving the Brain of blood :

NASA Astronaut Memorabilia Collections :

Can you see Dear queuing for the G-Force Trainer right behind the line below?! Hahah he couldn’t wait to try on the Simulator which allows one to feel the Pressure of 4 times the Force of Gravity!!

The waiting time for the G-Force Trainer is long so I just leave Dear queuing for himself while I continue to explore the rest of the Exhibits - here’re some pics of the G-Force Trainer slowly gaining speedy super FAST action :

I’m now visiting the Hall of Fame where we see Inductees of former NASA Officials & Flight Controllers, Historians, Journalists, & other Space Authorities based on their accomplishments in Space & contributions to the Advancement of Space Exploration :

In 1990, the Hall of Fame inducted the United States’s original Class of Astronauts the “Mercury Seven“.

In 1993, 13 Astronauts from the Gemini & Apollo programs were inducted - including the First & Last Men to Walk on the Moon - Neil Armstrong & Eugene Gernan, & Ed White who was the First American to Walk in Space, & more :

In 1997, 24 Gemini , Apollo & Skylab Astronauts were inducted. And Space Shuttle Veterans George Nelson, William Shepherd & James Wetherbee were inducted in 2009 :

Huge Exhibits Gallery of retired NASA Astronauts :

Navy, Marine & Air Force Gallery :

To Fly Gallery :

Describing himself as the First Man to Dance on the Moon - Pete Conrad was an American Astronaut & the Third Person to Walk on the Moon :

Here’s a very inspiring Exhibit Gallery on a Child’s Dream to become an American Avaitor, Author, Inventor & Explorer that he was (since his Camp Trout Lake Days) - Charles Lindbergh :

More interesting “To Seek To Excel” Exhibits :

I’m now back at the Space Simulation Station where I see Dear’s still not at his turn on the G-Force Trainer - WOW that’s a really long wait for poor Dear - but as he claims later after the G-Force experience that he could really feel like FLYING in a Fighter Plane, just that he also gets giddy too haha!!

Now, let’s look at the Exhibits of former American Astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman, who’s made 5 Flights as a Space Shuttle Astroanut, including the first mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993 :

Below shows my last pic taken of the Exhibits inside the USA Astronaut Hall of Fame here at Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex in Titsuville Florida USA -

Exhibits & Screening of “The Grand Prix” run during the Third Apollo 16’s extravehicular activity at the Descartes Landing Site by Astronauts John W. Young in the Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV), together with Charles M. Duke (the Lunar Moduel Pilot), who descended onto the Lunar Surface to explore the Descartes Highlands region of the Moon, while Command Module Pilot Thomas K. Mattingly remained with the Command & Services Modules in Lunar Orbit :

I later proceed to the US Astronaut Hall of Fame Gift Shop where I shop for my NASA Souvenirs which I’ll feature in a separate Post after this :)))

Soon after, Dear & I exit the US Astronaut Hall of Fame :

Haha Dear & I have a most wonderful time enjoying the amazing History of Human Space Flights being told in a most special & unique way, as well as the many interesting Memorabilias & inspiring Stories, here at the US Astronaut Hall of Fame at Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex in Titusville, Florida USA!

We’re now walking back to our Gray Line Tour Bus :

And once again I take snapshots of my most beloved Space Shuttle as our Tour Bus moves out of the Astronaut Hall of Fame “Hey Dear Dear we can actually walk into the Space Shuttle!! Whoa that’ll be so cool if we can really do that!!!”

But too bad we’ve not got the chance to do so - No worries as we’ve got plenty of opportunites to see more of Space Shuttles soon heheh!!