Celebrate 50 years of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing at Kennedy Space Center

Walk among the stars as you take one small step back in time to celebrate the historic moon landing which launched 50 years ago on 16th July 1969 from the Kennedy Space Center.

Politics were a big part of the events that led to the space race and the moon landing. With the rising military prowess of the USSR during the 1950s, there were concerns in the US government about the status of the US as a player on the world stage. It took the election of JFK as president in 1960, followed by USSR cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin becoming the first person in space in 1961 to ignite what would become the Apollo Program – an effort to reinforce dominance in the field of aerospace and show the USSR, especially the superior power of the US.

‘First, I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth. No single space project in this period will be more impressive to mankind, or more important for the long-range exploration of space; and none will be so difficult or expensive to accomplish… But in a very real sense, it will not be one man going to the moon – if we make this judgment affirmatively, it will be an entire nation. For all of us must work to put him there.’ JFK, to Congress on 25th May 1961

Despite the mission to land a man on the moon becoming the goal for NASA, it took until 1969 for success to eventually arrive. After a final dress rehearsal by the Apollo 10 mission, which circled the moon in May 1969, Apollo 11 launched with much fanfare from Kennedy Space Center on 16th July 1969 with astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin aboard. It took three days to reach the moon and begin an orbit, and finally, on 20th July, the lunar module Eagle containing Armstrong and Aldrin undocked and landed in the ‘Sea of Tranquillity’, before Armstrong stepped out onto the moon’s surface, watched by millions worldwide and took his iconic ‘one small step’ into the history books. Although 11 more astronauts went on to walk on the surface of the moon, to date, the US remains the only country to have successfully sent crewed missions to the moon.

To mark this important date in world history, the Kennedy Space Center is at the forefront of the celebrations. If you are there on any of the milestone dates relevant to the Apollo 11 mission, you will also be lucky enough to be a part of the special events and giveaways to remember the historic event.

We have looked at the various exhibits around Kennedy in detail in a previous blog, though a special visit to the Race to the Moon mission zone should certainly be on your itinerary. Here, you will learn all about the fascinating history of the Apollo Program and the moon landings that followed. In the Lunar Theater - relive the Apollo 11 landing featuring 3D elements blended with mission control recordings and NASA film footage. You can even stand underneath a 111m-long Saturn V rocket – the type that launched Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins on their moon mission!

In celebration of the Apollo 11 mission anniversary, the Apollo/Saturn V Center – which is home to the Race to the Moon zone – is undergoing a transformation, which is set to be unveiled on 15th July. Head to the complex for the 10:30am opening which begins in the Firing Room Theater, to learn about the new additions to the facility from Robert Cabana, the director of Kennedy Space Center, before being among the first people to tour the updated area. Although this inauguration event is included with daily admission, access is on a first-come-first-served basis as capacity will be limited. Make sure that you arrive early, as bus boarding will begin at 9:30am!

New exhibits include interactive challenges such as landing a lunar module, as well as the chance to make your own footprints on the lunar surface! Learn about the Fisher Space Pen – which can write upside-down and in zero gravity – and take a close look at a real Command and Service Module – the spacecraft which took man to the moon. Come back to earth and put yourself in the position of a 1960s family watching the moon landing on TV, with a recreation of a living room and bar scene. You can even see key moments from the Apollo program projection mapped onto the side of the Saturn V rocket! With plenty of artefacts on show, as well as fascinating displays and models, you’ll be able to learn all about the history of the missions leading to the moon landing.

On the 50th anniversary of the launch – 16th July, visitors to the site can collect an Apollo Mission Commemorative Card Set. This includes facts about the mission and special-edition collectable cards which are only available on this date – head to Information or Guest Services on arrival to make sure you don’t miss out, as supplies will be limited!

Also on this day there is a special ticketed event – the Apollo 11 Launch Flashback Event. Relive the day of the Apollo 11 launch in real-time, through archive footage, enjoy a catered breakfast and see some vintage cars, including Neil Armstrong’s blue Corvette! You will even hear interviews with special Apollo guests and watch footage of the launch – plus get your hands on some free celebratory gifts. Check out the Kennedy Space Center website for ticket details.

If you are an avid stamp collector, you should be keen to get your hands on the US Postal Service’s two new commemorative stamps! The first day of issue is being held at the complex on 19th July. This is also the day that the Apollo 11 mission entered into the orbit of the moon, and NASA are preparing to broadcast a two-hour celebration of the mission. NASA’s Giant Leaps: Past and Future will feature live broadcasts from the Visitor Complex from 1pm, and includes a look at the history of the space race, as well as interviews with key NASA figures involved in the past and current missions. If you are in the Visitor Complex you will be able to watch the show on large screens, or head to the Apollo/Saturn V Center to see the broadcast from behind the scenes. You might even be a part of the action as NASA is looking to interact with guests as a part of the anniversary event!

As the day that man finally stepped onto the surface of the moon, 20th July is a key date in any celebrations of the Apollo 11 mission. To honour this momentous event throughout the day at the Kennedy Space Center you can take a look at Armstrong’s car, view footage of the moon landing, and at 10am, 1pm and 4pm a guide will take you through the events of the landing and answer any questions you might have! Over in the Rocket Garden the kids can get hands-on with fun activities and enjoy some fantastic giveaways! To fully immerse yourself in the history of the moon landing, listen out for the DJ playing all of the hits of the 1960s throughout the day.

If you want to enhance your experience, you can purchase the Lunar Landing Add-on, and enjoy hors d’oeuvres as you watch the moon landing footage. You will even be able to see the unveiling of the world’s biggest moon pie, pose next to a Madame Tussauds’ waxwork of Neil Armstrong, and pick up some special gifts which celebrate the event.

The Apollo 11 mission came to an end on 24th July with the safe splashdown of the astronauts into the Pacific Ocean. As the final date in the celebrations, Kennedy Space Center are playing host to a welcome home party! Start the fun in the Rocket Garden at 10am, where there will be plenty of family-friendly fun, including classic 1960s cars, as well as life-sized cut outs for some memorable photos! Listen to the music of the mobile DJ before watching archive footage of the splashdown and events that followed, at 12:20pm and 3:20pm.

With so much going on around the Kennedy Space Center for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo Mission, this is the perfect time for those interested in space to pay a visit and be part of a truly landmark celebration!

Will you be taking one small step this July? We’d love to hear your thoughts on the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, so get in touch!

You can book your Kennedy Space Center tickets through our website.