Leisure … more than a word, it's a lifestyle

Locals and visitors to Central Florida are invited to be a part of the excitement throughout Thanksgiving weekend as NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission carrying the car-sized Curiosity rover launches aboard a massive Atlas V 541 rocket on its way to explore the red planet. The launch is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 25, at 10:25 a.m., the day after Thanksgiving, with special events and launch-related activities taking place throughout the week and beyond.

A limited number of guests are invited to witness the historic MSL launch from select designated locations within Kennedy Space Center, for just $20 plus the cost of admission (required). Or, guests may watch the launch from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for the cost of admission, which is $43 + tax for adults and $33 + tax for children ages 3-11. Guests may purchase an Annual Pass and enjoy unlimited visits for one calendar year from date of purchase (with the exception of Dec. 25) for just $13 more – $56 + tax for adults and $46 + tax for children ages 3-11.

Throughout the launch week and beyond, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will host a variety of special events and launch-related activities. Beginning Nov. 21, the Visitor Complex welcomes a Mars Rover Exhibit, featuring a trio of full sized, high fidelity rover  models from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) including: Sojourner, Mars Exploration Rover (MER) and the newest member of the family, the car-sized MSL rover, Curiosity. The exhibit, located in Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted, will remain at the Visitor Complex through March 2012.

Nov. 22 through 26, children of all ages are invited to the LEGO^® Build the Future play area. Guests will be admitted to the play area for 45 minutes to build their vision of the future out of LEGO bricks. For a glimpse at LEGO activities, visit www.legospace.com.

On Nov. 25, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex welcomes back special guest Bill Nye of the Emmy award-winning TV show, “Bill Nye The Science Guy,^®” who will speak to guests at the IMAX^® Theater at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. to discuss the MSL mission and Curiosity rover. Seating for Nye’s presentations is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so early arrival at the IMAX Theater is recommended.

Bill Nye is the Executive Director of The Planetary Society, the world’s largest space interest group, as well as a scientist, former Boeing engineer, stand-up comedian, author, inventor and man on a mission: to help foster a scientifically literate society. He is the host of three currently running TV shows including “The 100 Greatest Discoveries” on the Science Channel, “The Eyes of Nye” on PBS and “Stuff Happens” on Planet Green.

On Nov. 25-26, guests may take part in the Scientists in Action live webcast and ask questions of MSL scientists as well as attend live presentations by visiting Mars scientists.

NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission features the car-sized Curiosity rover, equipped with the most advanced payload of scientific gear ever deployed to the surface of Mars. After an eight-month journey, MSL will land on Mars in August 2012. The innovative and precise guided entry and powered sky crane descent employed to place Curiosity on the Martian surface has made many of Mars’ most intriguing regions viable destinations for the first time. In the 23-months (one Mars year) after landing, Curiosity will analyze samples drilled from rocks or scooped from the ground as it explores, assesses and characterizes its landing region site with greater capabilities than any previous Mars rover. Much like a robotic field geologist and mobile geochemical and environmental laboratory, Curiosity will provide NASA scientists with new data for understanding Mars as a potential habitat for life, past or present.

To purchase MSL Launch Viewing tickets, visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com or call 866-737-5235. Due to the anticipated popularity of launch viewing opportunities, reservations are strongly suggested.

Opening this weekend at Kennedy Space Center is the maiden voyage of Sci-Fi Summer: Where Science Fiction Meets Fact. NASA’s Kennedy Space Center complex launches Sci-Fi Summer today, 11th June, as a celebration of the last 50 years of human spaceflight and science fiction during the limited time exhibition. Sci-Fi Summer blends the technology, innovation and exploration of NASA with the adventures of Star Trek, one of the most popular science fiction programs worldwide.

Appearing for the first time in the southeast, Star Trek: The Exhibition, from EMS Exhibits, Inc., is an interactive exhibit of authentic Star Trek artifacts from the past 45 years, featuring one of a kind costumes, props and filming models from every Star Trek television series and feature film. Together these components offer Star Trek Fans and novices alike an opportunity to experience first hand the imagination, artistry, technology and meticulous craftsmanship that have made Star Trek the most enduring science fiction franchise in history.

This is your chance to go deep within the the Star Trek universe to discover the history of this ground breaking series and a recreation of the U.S.S. Enterprise Bridge from the original series, where you can sit in the command chair of Star Trek’s most famous captain: James T. Kirk. Sit in the actual Captain’s chair, see the props and costumes used in the TV Series’ and films, and enjoy one of a kind displays, including Engineering and Sick Bay replica sets from Star Trek: The Next Generation, interactive kiosks, rare photo opportunities and unique adventures.

So make sure you go to Kennedy Space Center soon because the event starts today and finishes on 5th September… there’s a lot to see ! More pictures are here and please click below to watch a short preview video!

PS. Tomorrow I’ll be telling you about Star Trek Live! … an exciting and interactive stage show featuring Vulcan’s and humans. Check back in the morning!

Space Shuttle Endeavour blasted off on the penultimate shuttle flight yesterday morning under the command of Mark Kelly, the husband of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. The wounded congresswoman was at Kennedy Space Center and watched the launch in an undisclosed private location.

Endeavour is headed for the International Space Station for one final time before heading to retirement at a Los Angeles museum. The shuttle’s experienced, all-male crew will deliver and install a $2 billion particle physics experiment during the 16-day flight, as well as spare station parts.

This is also the next to last flight for the 30-year-old space shuttle fleet. It is the final flight for the shuttle Endeavour, NASA’s youngest orbiter, which has flown 116.4 million miles in 24 previous flights.

All being well and with Mark Kelly at the helm, Endeavour and its experienced crew of five Americans and an Italian, Pilot Gregory H. Johnson and Mission Specialists Michael Fincke, Greg Chamitoff, Andrew Feustel and European Space Agency astronaut Roberto Vittori will arrive at the International Space Station on Wednesday. They will deliver a $2 billion magnetic instrument that will seek out antimatter and dark energy in the universe.

Hundreds of thousands of spectators witnessed Endeavour’s last launch but it was a smaller turnout than the crowds that viewed the last shuttle launch in February. The early morning launch may have affected the turn out as Endeavour blasted off at 8:56 a.m. whereas February’s launch and last month’s failed attempt were in the afternoon.

Projections had put Monday’s crowd at 500,000, more than the number that saw shuttle Discovery’s final hurrah in February however Titusville Assistant Police Chief John Lau guessed the crowd at between 350,000 and 400,000.

I paid a visit to Legoland Florida yesterday and was treated to a helicopter ride to look over what’s happening on the construction site. Progress is slow but sure at this stage but I’m delighted to be able to confirm that all is on track for an opening sometime in October. I was also able to have a chat with Legoland’s General Manager Adrian Jones at the construction site and he reported that the infrastructure has almost been finished and now they were starting to really build things, put in rides and redo existing buildings.

Aerial view of Legoland Florida

Adrian Jones (left) - General Manager Legoland Florida & Nigel Worrall

The most visible construction involves the castle, which will double as a loading station for the new Dragon Coaster ride. Its distinctive top can be seen from outside the park gates and the Triple Hurricane wooden coaster will become Coastersaurus. Before Legoland’s 50 rides and attractions could be built, systems such as drainage and sewage had to be addressed. “A lot of the core infrastructure was just too old and it would not have kept up with a brand-new, state-of-the-art park” said Adrian.

The 150-acre resort will feature attractions designed primarily for children aged 2 to 12, with mild roller coasters, car and boat attractions, Lego-building areas, a ski stunt show and small-scale versions of cities made of Lego blocks. While the scenery is dominated by dirt and concrete at the moment it won’t be long before you’ll see the start of the Lego veneer. Come July a lot of the rides will be in place and they’re also hoping to have a large part of the Miniland USA area, complete with the state of Florida in miniature as well as mini cities of Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., and New York City. Miniland USA will also feature Florida landmarks, including the Daytona International Speedway and Kennedy Space Center.

The park is located in Winter Haven and is approximately a 40 minute drive from most of Florida Leisure’s vacation homes. It’s a very easy drive and the park is going to be a much gentler pace than a typical trip to Disney or Universal. Legoland is offering a discounted annual pass for $99 and that ticket will be good from when the park opens and through the end of 2012 but purchases have to be made by April 30 at Legoland.com. Sales have been going so well that the the annual-pass price will go up to $159 for adults and $129 for children ages 3-12 after that date so you need to act quickly. Here’s the video of yesterday’s visit…

Welcome home Discovery!

The oldest of NASA’s surviving shuttles, Discovery is home and has racked up nearly 150 million miles as it ended it’s final journey today. It has accumulated more than 39 missions in nearly 27 years and spent 365 days total in space. It flew to the International Space Station 13 times and made the first shuttle rendezvous with Russia’s Mir station in 1995.

Discovery first flew in 1984 and carried the Hubble Space Telescope to orbit six years later. It’s flown 184 astronauts, including John Glenn at age 77 in 1998.

Here’s a by-the-numbers look at Discovery’s lasting legacy in space that, according to NASA, will cement the shuttle’s place in the fleet’s record books:

148,221,675: The number of miles Discovery has traveled after 39 space missions. This is a distance record unmatched among NASA’s space shuttle fleet.   The miles traveled by Discovery could have carried it to the moon and back more than 288 times, or on 1 1/2 trips to the sun.

40,000: The number of spectators, according to NASA estimates, who watched Discovery’s final launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on Feb. 24, 2011.

17,400: The speed at which Discovery traveled (in miles per hour) to remain in orbit. It’s about Mach 25, or five times the speed of a bullet.

5,830: The number of orbits Discovery has flown around the Earth after its final flight. During spaceflight, Discovery completes one orbit around Earth every 90 minutes.

1984: The year Discovery blasted off on its maiden space voyage. Discovery’s first flight was NASA’s STS-41D mission, which launched on Aug. 30 carrying three communications satellites and an experimental solar array wing. The mission was commanded by astronaut Henry Hartsfield.

365: The number of cumulative days Discovery will have flown in space by the end of its career. Altogether, that’s 52 weeks. Put another way, if you were to string all of Discovery’s mission’s together into one mission, the shuttle would be in space for exactly an entire year.

246: The number of crew members Discovery has carried during its space career so far. According to NASA, Discovery has been the ultimate space taxi and carried the most astronauts of any shuttle.

39: The number of missions Discovery will have flown by the time it is retired.

13: The number of times Discovery will have docked with the International Space Station after it is retired.

5: The number of astronauts that marked a first-ever in space when they flew on Discovery. According to NASA, they include: the first female to ever pilot a spacecraft (former astronaut Eileen Collins);  the oldest person to fly in space (former astronaut John Glenn); the first African-American to perform a spacewalk (former astronaut Bernard Harris); the first cosmonaut to fly on an American spacecraft (Russian spaceflyer Sergei Krikalev); and the first sitting member of Congress to fly in space (former Utah Senator Jake Garn).

4: The number of years it took to build the space shuttle Discovery.   The shuttle was completed in October 1983 in Palmdale, Calif., and was shipped a month later to NASA piggyback atop the agency’s modified Boeing 747 shuttle carrier craft. Four is also the maximum number of times the shuttle has flown in space in a single year. In 1985, Discovery set the bar for number of flights by one orbiter in one year.

3: The number of satellites Discovery carried during its first launch. Discovery was also NASA’s third space shuttle built for orbital flight. It was built after the shuttles Columbia and Challenger.

2: The number of return-to-flight missions Discovery has flown to help NASA resume shuttle flights. Discovery was the shuttle that flew the STS-26 mission two years after the loss of the shuttle Challenger and its crew during launch on Jan. 28, 1986. The shuttle also flew the STS-114 mission that followed the 2003 loss of shuttle Columbia and its seven-astronaut crew. That mission launched in July 2005.

1: The number of actual dockings with Russia’s Space Station Mir. Discovery actually visited the Mir station twice. It was the first U.S. shuttle to rendezvous with (but not dock at) Mir in 1995. Its second and last trip to Mir was in 1998, when it actually linked up with the Russian space station.

Here’s some video our team took live from Kennedy Space Center a couple of days ago of the final launch of Space Shuttle Discovery.

It was almost four months late but Space Shuttle Discovery blasted off under clear blue skies this afternoon on its final mission to the International Space Station before it is retired next month. The 27-year-old orbiter, with a crew of six astronauts, roared from the launchpad at Kennedy Space Center at 4:53 p.m. as tens of thousands of spectators cheered NASA’s oldest and most-traveled shuttle.

“The final liftoff of Discovery,” exulted Mike Curie, NASA’s launch commentator, “a tribute to the dedication, hard work and pride of America’s space shuttle team.”

It was the 39th liftoff for Discovery. Its 11-day mission, commanded by space veteran Steve Lindsey, will deliver supplies and a humanoid robot to the International Space Station.

The launch marks the beginning of the end of the space-shuttle program, 30 years after NASA began launching reusable, do-all spaceships into orbit to do everything from launching satellites to building the space station itself. After Endeavour in April and Atlantis,now set for June, NASA will have no manned-space rocket for the first time in 60 years.

Today’s launch was delayed a little over three minutes by a computer glitch experienced by the U.S. Air Force Range Safety Office, which assures that the Atlantic Ocean downrange from KSC is clear of ship and airplane traffic but lift-off occurred with seconds to spare before the launch window closed.

“We had about two seconds of hold time remaining, which is about one second more than Mike [Leinbach] needed to get the job done, so we had plenty of margin,” quipped Launch Committee Chairman Mike Moses.

Leinbach acknowledged a “fairly large size” chunk of insulating foam fell from Discovery’s fuel tank nearly four minutes into flight. But he said that was late enough into the flight that engineers weren’t worried the foam did any damage to the orbiter.

Throngs of people watched the launch from vantage points all along the Space Coast. Among those in the VIP area were Florida Gov. Rick Scott, watching the first launch since he took office in January, as well as U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson and NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden.

In addition to Lindsey, 50, a retired Air Force fighter pilot who flew dozens of missions in Iraq, the crew includes pilot Eric Boe, 45, an Air Force colonel and fellow fighter-pilot veteran; and mission specialists Alvin Drew, 47; Michael Barratt, 51, a medical doctor; Nicole Stott, a former mission engineer at Kennedy Space Center; and Steve Bowen, 47.

Bowen replaced Tim Kopra, who was injured in a mid-January bicycle accident. Bowen flew aboard Atlantis last May and will be the first astronaut to fly on consecutive shuttle missions.

Discovery was originally planned to lift off on Nov. 1. But a hydrogen leak, followed by the discovery of cracks in the insulating foam and some support rods on the fuel tank, caused a lengthy delay as NASA engineers labored to identify a cause and a fix.

The highlight of the mission will be delivery of Robonaut 2, otherwise known as R2, a 40-inch robot built by General Motors that looks like a human from the torso up, with capabilities to one day be an active member of the space station crew.

R2 will spend the next year or so attached to a stand in the U.S. lab on the space station, simply being tested in zero-gravity and doing such things as turning knobs, plugging things in and other simple manipulation tasks.

NASA expects to upgrade and reprogram R2 so that it becomes a mechanical member of the crew. Eventually, it will get legs or some manner of lower body and be able to work with astronauts on simple tasks such as vacuuming, or more-complex maintenance and repairs and assisting astronauts on space walks. Finally, it could become a caretaker or experiment tender, working on assignments after astronauts have left.

NASA first began developing the robot 15 years ago, and the R2 model – the second generation of the concept — was developed in partnership with General Motors, at a cost of about $2.5 million per robot. Two have been built.

From waist to head, it stands 3-feet-4 inches and weighs 330 pounds. Built primarily of aluminum and steel, it has a soft, fleshy exterior, designed so that astronauts would not be hurt if they banged into it. R2′s arms give it an 8-foot wingspan. Its head is equipped with eight cameras. Its computer brain is in its torso.

For now, it will remain in a crate until the space station astronauts finish more-pressing tasks and have the time to set it up. Robonaut 2 has only a one-way ticket to space, and it’s been waiting for months inside Discovery’s hold.

On February 18, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will host The National 9/11 Flag Stitching Restoration for the state of Florida, presented by The New York Says Thank You Foundation. As part of a national journey across America, local service heroes and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex guests will join FDNY firefighters to help sew the Florida restorative patch, featuring a retired flag that flew over Kennedy Space Center, onto the historic National 9/11 Flag.

The event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, beginning with a ceremony led by The New York Says Thank You Foundation, followed by the first flag stitches by nominated heroes, first responders, families of 9/11 victims and local veterans. Flag stitching will be open to guests immediately following the ceremony until 3:00 p.m. The 20-by-30.5 foot flag, with the completed Florida patch, will be raised at 4:00 p.m. in the Rocket Garden.

The public is invited to nominate local service heroes from Florida who deserve the honor of stitching The National 9/11 Flag at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Nominees can be people of all ages who exemplify service and sacrifice to their local communities and to the U.S. and may be a wounded warrior, military veteran, first responder, educator, student, or volunteer service leader. Nominations must be received by February 11 and must be submitted online at www.National911Flag.org by clicking on “Nominate a Service Hero.”

The National 9/11 Flag, recovered in fragments after the collapse of the World Trade Center, is on a cross-country journey to be stitched back to its original 13-stripe format using pieces of fabric from American flags destined for retirement in all 50 states. Once the flag is made whole again by the 10 year anniversary of 9/11, The National 9/11 Flag will become part of the permanent collection of the National September 11 Memorial Museum being built at the World Trade Center.

A $5 discount coupon is available for additional guests and the general public by visiting www.KennedySpaceCenter.com/flag.

The US shuttle Discovery rolled out for what should be its final mission last night. The orbiter, bathed in bright xenon light, completed its slow 3.4 mile journey to the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39A overnight.

Discovery’s flight to the International Space Station is scheduled to begin on 24 February all being well. The shuttle will deliver a storeroom to be attached to the 217 mile-high space station platform, along with further supplies and spares.

Stacked with its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters, Discovery took seven hours to complete the roll from Kennedy’s vast Vehicle Assembly Building to complex 39A and many Kennedy employees, along with their families, came to witness the event.

Back in November, NASA tried to launch Discovery but technical hitches, including cracks on its giant external fuel tank, kept the ship on the ground. The agency said engineers had now fixed those defects and carried out further work to strengthen the tank.

Discovery is the oldest of the three surviving orbiters. First launched in 1984, it has since completed 38 missions, traveling some 143 million miles in the process.

Endeavour is expected to fly to the station in April. Atlantis will go no earlier than June, if NASA has sufficient money left in its shuttle program budget.

President Barack Obama and the US Congress have determined that the shuttle fleet should be retired this year and following the fleet’s retirement, the plan is for US astronauts to fly to the space station on Russian Soyuz rockets until perhaps the middle of the decade.

Discovery is targeting a 1650 EST launch on 24 February. Let’s hope it goes well.

June is always a busy month in Florida and this year is no exception. Of course, the big news is that on 18^th June The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is due to open to the public at Universal Orlando’s Islands of Adventure and it promises to be both exhilarating and exciting as it will enable you to personally experience some of the best scenes from the books and movies. The 20-acre island will also feature attractions, shops and restaurants set inside such locations as the Forbidden Forest, Hogsmeade Village and the iconic Hogwarts castle.

Over at Walt Disney World is an event, or rather a series of events, that will enchant theme park guests when glittering light magic, high adventure, dance fever, thrills and chills set the after-dark scene. From June 6 through Aug. 14, “Summer Nightastic!” will light up the entertainment experience with a megawatt parade, a fireworks extravaganza, a rockin’ dance party, concerts and other surprises.

Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot will all present special events designed to add summertime energy to the after-dark theme-park experience.  At Magic Kingdom, thousands of tiny lights illuminate the return of the beloved “Main Street Electrical Parade,” and the elaborate new “Summer Nightastic! Fireworks Spectacular” paints the night sky more brightly than ever.

Downtown Disney has also been getting something of a makeover as new places like D-Street, a new apparel store where urban inspired product “intersects” with a Disney creative edge and RIDEMAKERZ have sprung up. The RIDEMAKERZ experience invites guests into the ultimate car customizing shop where they can build a one-of-a-kind radio control car or “RIDE”. Between bodystyles and colors, tires and wheels, lights and sounds, accessories and decals, RIDEMAKERZ estimates there are more than 649 million possible build combinations, not including individual decal placement! Downtown Disney has also welcomed several other additions as part of its overall revitalization plan including two new stores, a quick-service restaurant and 3-D technology to the AMC Pleasure Island 24 Theatre Complex.

Debuting  at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex this Summer is STAR TREK LIVE. This new interactive stage show begins on June 11, 2010 and is based on the popular science-fiction franchise. The show takes audiences on an exhilarating 30 minute journey offering an unforgettable live theatrical experience for fans of all ages. The show combines fun special effects, audience interaction and an exploration of real space-age technology.

At SeaWorld, the nights will be cooler and the atmosphere even hotter! SeaWorld AfterDark is transforming daytime favorites into nighttime spectacles.

SeaWorld AfterDark is showcasing the park in a whole new light, with a nighttime rock n’ roll extravaganza, a high-energy Shamu show, a hilarious sea lion show and a mystifying fireworks finale. That’s in addition to being able to experience all that’s awesome day and night, like Manta, up-close animal encounters and spectacular shows.

Busch Gardens is amping up the fun in 2010 during Summer Nights with MORE contemporary entertainment, MORE special effects and MORE reasons to stay and play each night from June 11 through Aug. 15. This year, the rides are even wilder and, each night, Busch Gardens goes out with a big, rock-style bang when Kinetix explodes onto the stage in Gwazi Park at 9 p.m.

Kinetix brings together live musicians, singers, dancers and artists from around the world for an original, non-stop 30-minute contemporary rock experience that delivers awesome lighting effects, modern music and high-energy performances.

Also in June, Busch Gardens’ world-class rides are amplified with pulsating sights and sounds to intensify each experience. Thrill rides, such as SheiKra, incorporate strobe lights, black lights, music and other special effects for an even bigger thrill. Even the carousel is amped up with a disco ball, and the Serengeti Express is aglow as it chugs around the park.

So, as you can see, it’s a great time to be in the Orlando area.