Kennedy Space Center

Photo: NASA License: 2

The John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the NASA space vehicle launch facility (spaceport). The site is near Cape Canaveral, Florida. It is 34 mi long and around 6 mi wide, covering 219 square miles.

Kennedy Space Center's only launch operations are at Launch Complex 39. All other launch operations take place at the adjacent Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) which is operated by the U.S. Air Force.

Because much of KSC is off limits to development, the site also serves as an important wildlife sanctuary.

It was renamed the John F. Kennedy Space Center in November 1963, after the recently assassinated president John F. Kennedy. The surrounding Cape Canaveral was also renamed Cape Kennedy, but this change was unpopular with the local people and the name reverted in 1973.

KSC is now the launch site for the Space Shuttle, reusing the Complex 39 Apollo infrastructure.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is home to a number of museums, two IMAX theatres, and various bus tours allowing visitors a closer look at various restricted areas.