KSC Welcomes Delta II to Rocket Garden

March 24, 2021 – Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is now fully open and has implemented safety protocols. Guests will be able to gaze up in admiration at the latest addition to the Rocket Garden.  The Delta II from United Launch Alliance joins a host of giants, including the ULA-heritage Delta-Thor, Juno 1 and Juno II, Mercury-Redstone, Mercury-Atlas and Atlas-Agena, Gemini-Titan II and the Saturn 1B launch vehicles.

United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta II in its new home in the Rocket Garden at KSC Visitor Complex. (ULA Image)

Last flying in 2018, the Delta II had a 30-year career launching 155 times. Always a workhorse, the rocket’s main claim to fame may be putting spacecraft into orbit for the Global Positioning System for the Air Force. GPS is used by more than 4 billion people in banking, using credit cards and having that familiar female voice say, “Please make a legal U-turn and return to the route.”  It’s fair to say that modern life would be impossible without this ubiquitous system.

“That’s a real rocket, it could have flown in space but instead it’s on its second career,” KSC Director Bob Cabana said at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new display. “It’s now on a mission of inspiration for future generations.”

The Delta II rocket carrying the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) spacecraft lifts off from Launch Complex 17-B in 2008. Image credit: NASA/Jerry Cannon, Robert Murray

The Delta II other missions included: sending eight spacecraft to Mars including the Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Pathfinder, Mars Climate Orbiter, Mars Polar Lander, 2001 Mars Odyssey, Mars exploration rovers Spirit and Opportunity and the Mars Phoenix lander.

About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

According to their website, “Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S. space program, offering a full day or more of fun, inspiration and educational activities. Included with admission are Heroes & Legends, featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®, presented by Boeing, Space Shuttle Atlantis®, Journey To Mars: Explorers Wanted, space films, the Rocket Garden, the all-new Planet Play and the recently re-opened Apollo/Saturn V Center.”

Also in the works at KSC Visitor’s Complex is an exhibition called “Gateway”. Set to open in early 2022, Gateway takes a look forward and may feature a SpaceX Falcon Heavy booster and Dragon capsule.

“Only 45 minutes from Orlando, Fla., Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 10 a.m. with closing times varying by season. Admission is $57 + tax for adults and $47 + tax for children ages 3 – 11 with multi-day admission packages also available. There is an option to add on the KSC SmartGuide, available in eight languages, to enhance this memorable visit.  (https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/info/ksc-smartguide)

For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.”

Sources: Florida Today
Space Coast Daily