US Space & Rocket Center

The US Space and Rocket Center is a place that when in Huntsville, Alabama should visit.
They have the museums, massive Saturn V rocket, Imax theatres and shuttle tours that took us to George Marshall Space Flight Center and the Historic Redstone Arsenal Test Site to name a few. The tour guide Janice is very knowledgeable. The place is very educational … you’ll be surprised to learn a lots of things.

One of the few places in America where a space center gives an entire city its identity, as well as having one massive Saturn V rocket become an iconic part of its skyline. The US Space & Rocket Center is a complex that is made up of the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, various rocket, jet & space shuttle models that are outdoors, Space Camp, a large IMAX theater, and kiddie rides within the rear of the complex. If you are into science, rocketry, aircraft and space travel, this place is certainly for you!
Admission within the Davidson Center varies (usually $ 20 per person). You’ll see the evolution of the Saturn V rocket (the big a** rocket ship outside, for those that prefer layman terms) that enabled 12 Americans to reach the moon during the late 1960s and early 1970s. There are a good amount of exhibits inside of the Davidson Center (i.e, the lunar module capsule), yet one of its crown jewels may be the IMAX theater. The IMAX m 3-​D show of 20^th & 21^st century rocketry is absolutely remarkable, and highly recommended to observe.
Though I didn’t have an interest of inquiring about Space Camp (I’ve seen the movie, and heard its expensive to send kids there), I did notice the kiddie rides within the rear of the building. Kind of cheesy, yet you’ve got to remember that these are rides for kids. There is one that seems built for adults, but that’s about it. If the adults really want to ride on amusement park rides, check out DisneyWorld 700 miles southeast of this location.
Outside of the space center are various models of rocketry and technology that is truly a sight to see. The A-​12 Blackbird (comparable to the SR-​71) is one that gets a lot of notice, as well as a missile or two around it. There is a space shuttle on site, which is remarkable to see in its own right. This was a special treat for me to see, considering that I would have to go to either the Johnson Space Center in Houston or Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral to see ether a model or live version.
All the while, there aren’t too many space centers in the United States that you get a chance to experience. I am grateful that this one readily available to the general public. This center is good for both kids, as well as adults.

We took a day trip from Atlanta to the space/​rocket center on Monday with a large group of friends. We had a «blast!» I really appreciated that they were having a teacher appreciation weekend and one guest and I were admitted for free!!! That was super awesome. All of the exhibits were fun and educational. We really enjoyed ourselves. We stayed there all day because there were so many things to do and see. You develop a great understanding and appreciation for astronauts. My daughter and her friends had a great time climbing the rock wall, which ultimately was alot harder than it looked. The whole experience was very fun! We enjoyed the space journey movie. But, they were also showing Star Wars in IMAX which I’m sure was awesome!

The US Space & Rocket Center is most appropriately located in Huntsville Alabama. Talk about history, dating back to Werner Von Braun. Well, history and politics, but I digress.
There is nothing quite like the sight of a SATURN V rocket in vertical launch position. This is one huge rocket !! When seen in person, it actually looks like it could make it to the moon. And the space shuttle is there, with its corroded fuel tank and solid rocket boosters. .. Yet another mesmerizing sight. There are only three Saturn V’s left, and I’m not sure how many, if any, Space Shuttle/​Booster setups are on display elsewhere.
Some foolish Unilocalers think these rockets are mere replicas. Nope. The real thing.
Rockets, rockets, rockets, and yes, the Apollo 16 capsule. By far, most of the rocket displays are civilian rockets, but a beautifully displayed Hawk missile battery was out there, in European camouflage, and all three rounds looking ready to fire. My brother, when in the Army, was part of a Hawk launch squad. He informed me there are three rockets on each launcher because it takes that many to hit one airplane. Not sure if he was kidding.
Lookee here, an airplane in amongst the rockets! Well, not an ordinary airplane, an SR-​71, whose pilots wear astronaut wings. Totally belongs here, and it’s reusable !
Keep in mind this is not a national museum like the Smithsonian or the USAF Museum in Dayton or the USN Air museum in Pensacola, all of which are supported by the taxpayers of the USA and all its possessions. So this museum isn’t free, nor should it be. $ 20 will get you in, and the parking is free, typical of Southern hospitality.
The museum is located right off Alabama State Highway 565, and you can’t miss it. Just look for that Saturn V.

This is more of a review for the IMAX Dome Theater. As you may not know, there are only 23 IMAX Dome theaters in the US. These have a true immersive experience since the screen fills your peripheral vision. I saw Star Wars here on 70 mm film which was truly amazing! I suggest you sit in the middle above the projector.

I spent 2 ½ hours here seeing just the high points but if you are into rocketry, space travel, aircrafts & telescopes you could easily spend a whole day and really get your $ 20 worth of education & entertainment.
There is an I-​max theater that cost additional & there are combination tickets that include that.
They go through the history of the U.S. Space program in detail, much of which traces to Werner Von Braun and Huntsville.
If you are in Huntsville, even for just part of a day, take time to take this in!

I’m going to to on the record here and now and say that I’m not a huge fan of space stuff. ‘Why go?’ you ask? Well we all do things for loved ones and my boyfriend is a huge science nerd and wanted to go. We were conveniently in Huntsville for restaurant week and stayed a the Marriott which is in walking distance from the space and rocket center. Parking is actually free at the center, so us walking over didn’t save any money. Damn. Anyway, the center is located right off of 565, you literally can’t miss it because theres ROCKETS in the sky!
We stopped in on a Saturday afternoon in early August. The place was pretty busy. Don’t come here if you have a phobia of children running around. It’s 20 bucks for adults to enter the center. That includes pretty much every, including rides on the thing that shoots you up into the sky and back down. We only looked around for about 2 hours because the center closes at 6 on Saturdays. You could probably spend a week looking at all the different things they have and watching the videos, playing with the demos and reading placards.
The Davidson center houses a REAL ROCKET. The ones that are outside are supposedly just replicas. They probably don’t want them out in the elements. Its amazing how big that rocket is. To think that it was able to make it up into space blows my mind. While we were there they were setting up for a wedding reception that was scheduled for that night. You can book private parties or corporate events there, pretty neat. They’ve got a IMAX theatre there for showings off space films, obviously and next door is space camp. I thoroughly enjoyed looking around for 2 hours that day and I’m not a huge space fan (I like WW2 history more). If you’re in town and have kids or kids at heart, this is a neat place to visit for the day.

Bei unserer Internetsuche nach interessanten Zielen auf unserer Strecke durch den Süden der USA Richtung Florida fanden wir das U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Dies sollte nach einigen Aussagen im Internet und in den Reiseführern sogar noch interessanter sein als Cape Canaveral und da es fast auf unserem Weg lag, machten wir in Huntsville für eine Zwischenübernachtung Station.
Das Space & Rocket Center liegt in der Nähe der I-​565, Ausfahrt 15. Bereits vor der Ausfahrt konnten wir die verschiedenen Rakten sehen, die auf dem Gelände ausgestellt waren und wir konnten das Center gar nicht mehr verfehlen. Auf dem großen Parkplatz fanden wir problemlos einen Platz für unser Auto und gingen dann zum großen zentralen Kassenbereich. Dort mussten wir uns entscheiden, ob wir nur das Center selber besuchen wollten, oder uns auch noch einen Film im IMAX Kino ansehen wollten. Wir entschieden uns für beides und waren dann für 2 Erwachsene und 2 Kinder um 55,00 US Dollar ärmer. Wir fanden das einen stolzen Preis, aber dafür sollte uns ja auch lt. Prospekt einiges geboten werden.
Da es gerade die richtige Zeit für den Film war, besuchten wir als erstes das IMAX, ein hoher halbrunder Raum erwartete uns und wir bekamen einen Film über Raumfahrt zu sehen. Leider waren wir vom Film total enttäuscht, die Sicht war schlecht und der Ton extrem laut und insgesamt war der Film eher langweilig, weil da viel erzählt und wenig gezeigt wurde, und um einen Sprecher zu sehen brauche ich nicht in ein IMAX gehen.
Der weitere Besuch des Centers wurde jedoch auch nicht besser, da gerade Ferienzeit war, konnten einige Stationen nicht genutzt werden, da sie von Campbesuchern belegt waren und ein Zutritt deshalb nicht gestattet war. So sollte es eine Interaktive Präsentation vom Leben in einer Internationalen Station geben, aber das war halt von den Campbesuchern ausgebucht. Mission in action stand dann auch an vielen anderen Orten oder nur für Campbesucher. Toll und dafür haben wir den Eintritt bezahlt. Team Readstone — eine Ausstellung über die U.S. Army konnte man sich ansehen, aber Aktivitäten an den Stationen konnten nicht gemacht werden, da diese von den Campbesucher belegt waren, auch den Apollo Cockpit Trainer konnten wir nicht nutzen. Was übrig blieb war die Möglichkeit der Simulation einer Landung mit dem Space Shuttle, es gab nur 2 Stationen dafür und lange Wartezeiten.
Dann eine große Wand, an der man die verschiedenen Astronauten der Shuttles mit Kurzbiografien vorstellte und einen Simulator in dem man das Andocken eines Moduls der Raumstation miterleben durfte.
Verschiedene Exponate rund um den Mondflug gibt es auch noch, diese wirkten aber irgendwie in den Raum gestellt und boten kein ansprechendes Bild.
Eine Kletterwand kann man auch erklimmen, leider nur mit festem Schuhwerk und das hatten wir bei 40 Grad nicht dabei und Leihschuhe gabe es nicht.
Im Aussenbereich gibt es dann noch den Rocket Park und das Space Shuttle. Ich muss ehrlich gestehen die ausgestellten Rakten wirkten eher wie Pappmache und nicht wie Raketen die mal in Gebrauch waren. Leider wurde das größte Exponat, eine Saturn 5 Rakete gerade überholt und man konnte die nur unter Planen erahnen.
Außerdem befindet sich auf dem Aussengelände noch ein Freifallturm, den haben wir aber nicht ausprobiert.
Ganz nahe kommt man hier auch einem Space Shuttle und kann sogar darunter her laufen, die Dimensionen waren schon beeindruckend, wengleich es auch eher wieder wie eine Attrappe wirkte.
Wer möchte kann sich im Galaxy Food Court mit Fast Food beköstigen oder in einem der Souvenirläden ein Andenken erstehen. Alles war recht teuer und voll.
Auch die sanitären Anlagen waren durch den Besucherandrang in Mitleidenschaft gezogen und entsprachen nicht unbedingt meinem Anspruch an Sauberkeit.
Mein Fazit:
Ein Besuch der sich nicht gelohnt hat, vielleicht sieht es ausserhalb der Ferienzeit anders aus, wenn nicht eine Reihe von Aktivitäten für Campbesucher reserviert sind. Für uns hatte das Ganze einen Beigeschmack von Touristenabzocke, da wir ja den vollen Eintrittspreis bezahlt hatten und nicht alle angepriesenen Aktivitäten nutzen konnten.

So very worth it. Don’t miss out and drive by this place. There are so many interactive programs here I can’t wait to have my kids attend the summer programs.
I was very much impressed with the exhibits. They are not crummy cheap looking whatsoever. Mind you, this center is affiliated with the smithsonian and is on par with any museum/​attraction in DC. Very impressed and happy with the experience.