explore tour nasa

Explore JPL will return in 2025

Please know that in addition to “Explore JPL” there are many other ways to experience JPL including our JPL Virtual Tour , monthly von Karman lecture series or weekday JPL Tours . Keep up on the latest news about JPL’s adventures. You can also sign up for JPL’s accounts on Twitter, Instragram, Facebook and Flickr. And to take a ride along with our spacecraft, explore the larger universe, or check the pulse of planet Earth, download our interactive Eyes products.

Explore NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory With the New Virtual Tour

From visiting mission control to seeing where space robots are built, the interactive tour lets online users explore the historic space facility from anywhere in the world.

Have you ever wondered were the rovers we send to Mars are built, or where spacecraft that explore the cosmos return their data to Earth? In a typical year, over 30,000 people visit NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in-person; now, for the first time ever, you can see the Southern California facility from anywhere in the world on a virtual tour .

Your browser cannot play the provided video file(s).

One of the stops on the virtual tour is mission control, where JPL sends signals to and receives signals from spacecraft. Visit the virtual tour

The interactive tour takes visitors to several locations at the 177-acre laboratory, which together provide an overview of JPL’s rich history and its many space missions, past and present. Each location is embedded with dozens of points of interest – including videos, fun facts, and images. For example, you can drop by the control room for the Deep Space Network, where JPL staff communicate with every NASA spacecraft flying beyond the orbit of the Moon. Click on one of the embedded links to see in real-time which spacecraft are returning data to each of the three Deep Space Network facilities based around the world.

You can also visit the spacecraft assembly facility , where engineers and technicians are constructing future spacecraft inside a clean room. Dozens of orbiters, landers, and rovers have been assembled in this room since 1962. Logos for all missions built here adorn the far wall; click on them to learn more about each mission.

Get the Latest JPL News

In the von Kármán Auditorium and the lab’s Visitor Center Museum, you can learn about JPL’s early years, including its involvement in launching America’s first satellite, Explorer 1, which led to the formation of NASA. You’ll also find full-scale models of some of our most beloved spacecraft, including Voyager, Galileo, and the Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity in these rooms.

“Seeing JPL from the inside is an amazing experience, and we hope this virtual tour creates the same sense of wonder,” said Veronica McGregor, manager of JPL’s Digital News and Media Office. “We plan to expand the tour with more locations later this year so people can return over and over.”

The virtual lab tour is a collaboration of the JPL Digital News and Media Office and the Public Services Office, which handles in-person tours and other visitor activities. The tour staff’s expertise, honed from ushering thousands of visitors through the lab each year, was invaluable in creating the dozens of points of interest included in each virtual tour stop. In-person tours at JPL have been suspended since March 2020 due to the pandemic.

A next goal is to create hosted virtual tours for classrooms. “Our staff will now be working virtually with schools and teachers to help them navigate this new online tour of JPL,” said Kim Lievense, manager of the Public Services Office. “As with our in-person tours, specific points of interest were designed with grade-appropriate curriculum in mind.”

News Media Contact

Matthew Segal

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.

818-354-8307

[email protected]

Kennedy Space Center with KSC Explore Tour

Home > Tours > Kennedy Space Center with KSC Explore Tour

Watch Itinerary

Enjoy a visit to kennedy space center with the addition of the ksc explore tour that goes beyond the regular bus tour of the nasa grounds.

• Explore Kennedy Space Center!
• Explore the NASA grounds and view the icons of the NASA flight operations
• Learn all there is to know from your professional driver-guide
• View the Space Shuttle Atlantis up-close
• Roundtrip transportation from Orlando, Kissimmee, Disney or Lake Buena Vista meeting points
• Admission to Kennedy Space Center
• Ticket to the KSC Explore Tour
• Assistance from a driver-guide
• Optional gratuities
• Meals and beverages
• Ticket cannot be used on BLACKOUT Dates for Kennedy Space Center - for example Delta Heavy Rocket Launches

When would you like to go?

Unavailable, please select:, options selected:, optional extras, price breakdown:.

Pickup points

Not booked your hotel yet? Hotel not listed? Staying with a friend/family?

Don't worry, you can give us that information when you add this item to your cart.

Pickup Info

We have meeting points throughout the tourism corridors of Orlando, Lake Buena Vista, and Kissimmee including the Disney and Universal areas. Please arrive to your meeting location at least 5 to 10 minutes prior to the departure time. Wait outside the meeting point as the Guides will not go into lobbies or stores to look for guests

You may also like

County Nights Live

Kennedy Space Center Admission (No transport) Standard

The Orlando ICON & Madame Tussauds Combo Ticket

Gators, Gators, Gators! Airboat Ride and Gatorland Park Combo

Your browser does not support iframes

• Things to do
• Orlando Attractions
• Kennedy Space Center
• Chat with an Astronaut
• Kennedy Under the Stars
• Women in Space
• Mission Zones
• Cape Canaveral
• Launches & Events
• SpaceX Launch

Visitor Complex

• SpaceX Crew-7 Mission
• Plan Your Visit
• Guided Tours
• Restaurants
• Orlando to KSC
• Transportation
• Launch Tickets
• Rocket Garden
• Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other
• Heroes & Legends

Behind the Gates

• Saturn V Rocket
• Space Shuttle Atlantis
• NASA Now + Next
• Race to the Moon
• WonderWorks Orlando
• Orlando ICON Park
• Madame Tussauds
• SEA LIFE Orlando
• Clearwater Beach
• Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
• Festivals and Events

Everything You Need to Know About the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tours

Go beyond the gates of the Visitor Complex to visit the restricted sections of the Kennedy Space Center! Keep reading to find out more about what makes the Kennedy Space Center bus tour worth an experience, what to expect, essential information, & more.

Book a Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

Why take a kennedy space center bus tour.

• By taking the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, you get access to all the restricted sections of the complex like the Vehicle Assembly Building, Launch Complex 39, & other operational facilities.
• Get an exclusive and comprehensive behind-the-scenes tour of the Kennedy Space Center along with an expert tour guide.
• The Explore Tour also gives you access to the Visitor Complex, where you can visit 31 attractions spread across 5 exciting zones.
• Spend an entire day learning about space exploration, discover artifacts, see original rockets, find out about current & future NASA missions , & so much more!
• Save the hassle of figuring out transportation and get round-trip transfers from Orlando , Kissimmee, Disney, or Lake Buena Vista areas.

Your Tickets Explained

• The Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour takes you through the Visitor Complex, which houses 31 exciting attractions.
• Witness larger-than-life facilities from your bus and get a closer look into areas like the Launch Complex 39 and the Vehicle Assembly Building.
• Learn all about the complex and space exploration from an expert tour guide.
• Your Kennedy Space Center bus tour also offers live presentations including Astronaut Encounter, Journey To Mars: Explorers Wanted live show and exhibit, and the Mission Status Briefing.
• This ticket allows you to opt for a 1-day pass or a 2-day pass depending on your preference.

*Please note that the Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour is different from the admission tickets with bus transfers and the shuttle buses that are available within the Visitor Complex. The latter two involve a bus driver who will act as a tour guide only during the bus ride. However, the Explore Tour includes an exclusive space expert.

Flexible Duration: Your tickets come with a flexible duration.

Cancellation Policy: Tickets cannot be rescheduled or canceled.

Essential Information

Here are some important things to keep in mind for your Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour.

• Timings: 9 AM – 6 PM
• Duration: 2 Hours
• Start and end point: The tour ends at Apollo/Saturn V Center
• Wheelchair accessibility: Yes
• Return transfers: The return buses leave every 15 minutes
• Restaurants: Try the Moon Rock Café at Apollo/Saturn V Center
• Shopping: The Right stuff shopping is available at Apollo/Saturn V Center
• Restrooms: Restrooms are available atApollo/Saturn V Center

What to Expect on Your Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour?

Once you have boarded the bus, prepare yourself for a 40-minute tour through NASA’s property. The Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour will take you behind NASA’s gates in an unexpected way. With the help of an expert space tour guide, you will be given a peek into the most mission-critical regions of the Kennedy Space Center .

Ride through monumental sites within NASA’s gates, including the Vehicle Assembly Building, Launch Complex 39, and many other facilities in between. Since the Kennedy Space Center and the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station are both working launch facilities, the tour routes can be changed at any time.

Toward the end of your bus tour, you will get down at the Apollo/Saturn V Center where NASA’s Project Apollo comes into existence. Here, you can tour at your own pace and explore the many exhibits. Once done, board another bus and you can head back to the main visitor complex. It is recommended to keep 2-hours aside when taking the bus tour and exploring the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

What is Covered on Your Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour?

The Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour takes you through the Visitor Complex and beyond! Explore 31 attractions inside the Visitor Complex and then go behind the scenes to look at the Vehicle Assembly Building & Launch Complex 39.

As you head to the main Visitor Complex, you will get the chance to explore 31 attractions spread across 5 zones. Some must-see highlights inside the complex include the Rocket Garden, Space Shuttle Atlantis, Apollo 8 & the Firing Room, Journey to Mars, the original Saturn V Rocket, & the IMAX Theater. Learn more about what's inside each zone from a space expert who knows the ins and outs of the complex!

The Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour takes you on an exclusive journey through NASA’s restricted areas. Explore the area where the Apollo and space shuttle missions were launched and discover the launch pads currently used by NASA and its partners. The tour will also take you past the Vehicle Assembly Building, a pivotal structure when it comes to past and future space missions.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

Yes, there is a Kennedy Space Center bus tour that you can opt for to explore the attractions inside along with an expert tour guide.

You can book your Kennedy Space Center bus tour tickets online for a seamless experience.

Yes, the Kennedy Space Center bus tour is officially called the Explore Tour. This tour takes you behind the gates of the complex to restricted areas and operational facilities.

By taking the Kennedy Space Center bus tour, you can go through the back gates and much further than the Visitor Complex . If you wish to see NASA’s launch pads and other official facilities, then this is one you don't want to miss!

The Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour is priced at $107.

No, the daily admission ticket does not include a bus tour. You will have to book tickets for the Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour separately.

By purchasing your tickets online well in advance, you can enjoy deals and discounts on your Kennedy Space Center bus tour tickets. Keep an eye out for discounts here .

The Kennedy Space Center bus tour tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.

Yes, on the Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour, you get to view NASA’s restricted areas, launch pads, and other operational facilities.

The Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour operates between 9 AM and 5 PM.

The Kennedy Space Center bus tour takes two hours.

The Kennedy Space Center bus tour is equipped with a wheelchair and scooter-accessible lifts. Please reach out to a staff member if you require additional assistance.

The Kennedy Space Center bus tour takes you beyond the Visitor Complex to the official launch pads and other operational facilities. It is absolutely worth the experience!

Kennedy Space Center Guided Tours

Plan Your Visit to the Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center Mission Zones

2024 Total Eclipse: Where & When

Eclipse explorer.

For a mobile-friendly or full-screen version of this interactive map, visit go.nasa.gov/EclipseExplorer .

The Monday, April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse crossed North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The total solar eclipse began over the South Pacific Ocean. Weather permitting, the first location in continental North America that experienced totality is Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PDT.

The path of the eclipse continued from Mexico, entering the United States in Texas, and traveled through Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Small parts of Tennessee and Michigan also experienced the total solar eclipse. The eclipse entered Canada in Southern Ontario, and continued through Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton. The eclipse exited continental North America on the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland, Canada, at 5:16 p.m. NDT.

This table provides the time that totality began in some U.S. cities in the path of totality. These areas also experienced a partial eclipse before and after these times.

Discover More Topics From NASA

Total Solar Eclipse Safety

2024 Total Eclipse

Helio Big Year

• Scientific Visualization Studio Galleries Help

A Tour of NASA’s 2024 Total Solar Eclipse Map

Map Credit: Michala Garrison and the Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS), in collaboration with the NASA Heliophysics Activation Team (NASA HEAT), part of NASA’s Science Activation portfolio; eclipse calculations by Ernie Wright, NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterMusic Credit: “Cascades” by Air Jared [ASCAP], Sebastian Barnaby Robertson [BMI] via Universal Production Music Watch this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel.

Spanish VersionMap Credit: Michala Garrison and the Scientific Visualization Studio (SVS), in collaboration with the NASA Heliophysics Activation Team (NASA HEAT), part of NASA’s Science Activation portfolio; eclipse calculations by Ernie Wright, NASA Goddard Space Flight CenterMusic Credit: “Cascades” by Air Jared [ASCAP], Sebastian Barnaby Robertson [BMI] via Universal Production Music

For More Information

Visualizers, release date, eclipse megamovie, flying around the 2024 eclipse shadow, eclipse safety b-roll 2023, eclipse safety imagery 2023, find out if your eclipse glasses are safe, how to make a box pinhole projector, solar eclipse animation elements, solar eclipse animation, the 2024 total solar eclipse, you may also like..., no results., an error occurred. please reload this page and try again..

Space Explorers: THE INFINITE

⭐ Space Explorers: THE INFINITE is a powerful immersive experience inspired by NASA missions aboard the International Space Station. On this one-hour journey, you will have access to never-before-seen 360-degree videos captured in space using advanced technology. Witness breathtaking views of Earth, gain a unique perspective into the daily life of astronauts, and experience Ryoji Ikeda’s immersive audiovisual art installation.

🚨 A portal to space is open in Houston!  🚨 Don’t miss out and get your tickets now! 

Highlights 🌎 Admire mind-blowing views of the Earth and feel the immensity of Space 📽️ Witness the first-ever spacewalk captured in cinematic virtual reality 🛰️ Explore an entirely walkable 3D model of the International Space Station ❄️ Escape the heat and explore the cosmos in a cool and   air-conditioned space 👩‍🚀 Join the crew of astronauts and discover their epic adventures  🚀 Witness the launch of the Artemis rocket, NASA's next giant leap towards the moon General Info 📅 Dates and times: select your date & time directly in the ticket selector ⏳ Duration: 1 hour (40 minutes of which are in VR) 📍 Location: Silver Street Studios at Sawyer Yards, 2000 Edwards Street, Houston, TX 77007 👤 Age requirement: 8+ ♿ Accessibility: the venue is accessible for reduced mobility. For more information, please refer to the FAQs ❓ Please consult the FAQs of this experience here 🎁 Treat your friends and family to a gift card by clicking here 👥 Corporate and school groups: We're happy to help you plan your group visit. Please contact [email protected] Description The ultimate Space adventure! Enter the world of astronauts aboard and outside the International Space Station in an awe-inspiring immersive experience inspired by NASA missions. Get as close as you can to being in Space. Witness the daily life of astronauts and see Earth as you’ve never seen it before. Space Explorers: THE INFINITE is the world’s largest collective immersive experience, showcasing life in Space with scenes and footage from the Emmy Award-winning series Space Explorers: The ISS Experience . This extensive production, filmed in Space and produced in association with TIME Studios, is not to be missed. Get your tickets for Space Explorers: THE INFINITE in Houston today! Media reviews ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "It allows people to experience something very few will ever get to in real life. These days, it’s a perspective we could all use." - Datebook, SF Chronicle ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "It even brought a member of my group to tears by the time we returned to Earth." - SFGATE ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A sight only a select few will ever see in their lifetime. A view that astronauts say changes them. For the first time, those of us on Earth can experience this too, thanks to cinematic virtual reality." - ABC/KOMO

Getting there

Silver Street Studios

2000 Edwards Street, Houston, 77007

Select date and session

––– Low availability

• Includes entry to the experience

VIP Upgrade Add-on (ticket not included)

Similar Experiences

Downtown aquarium houston, kingdom of the planet of the apes, children's museum houston admission, houston museum pass: admission to 12 attractions + discounts, houston museum of natural science, the watchers, space center houston admission ticket, minions: the rise of gru, ticket for magic show theater in houston, space center houston: general admission.

Sorry, JavaScript must be enabled to use this web app

• Park Overview Explore Missions Zones
• Heroes and Legends Space Pioneers
• Behind the Gates Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour
• Race to the Moon Apollo Moon Landing
• Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other NASA's Space Shuttle Program
• NASA Now + Next Preparing for Journey to Mars
• All Attractions
• Plan Your Visit
• Hours Of Operation
• Hotel Packages
• Travel Information
• Events Overview
• Event Calendar
• See A Launch
• Groups Overview Plan Events and Tours
• Youth Groups Programs and Field Trips
• Scouts Adventures for Scout Troops
• Private Events Events and Custom Tours
• International Programs and Custom Tours
• Camp KSC Day Camp for Students
• Educators Resources for Teachers
• Programs Educational Programs at KSC
• Accessibility Information

Access to the Restricted Areas of America's Spaceport 

Gain exclusive access to historic launch sites and operational spaceflight facilities on the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, included with daily admission. On the tour, go behind NASA’s gates to see the past, present and future of America’s multi-user spaceport before visiting the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour

Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour

Fly With An Astronaut

Space shuttles Atlantis (left) and Endeavor (right) on Launch Pads 39A and 39B respectively (2009).

A Saturn V rocket rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for Apollo 14 in 1970.

Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB)

Launch Complex 39A

Launch Complex 39B

Prev mission zone.

Heroes & Legends

Next mission zone.

Race To The Moon