One Tank Getaway: U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an astronaut?

You don’t have to travel to outer space to find out.  As a matter of fact you can have an out of this world experience just up the road in Huntsville at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, one of the most comprehensive U.S. manned space flight museums in the world.  But don’t let that word “museum” scare you away.

Debra Weldon came with a group of 5th graders from Brentwood, Tennessee.  “It’s not boring at all.  I think it’s very interesting and I’m not a museum type person, so I highly recommend it.”  Weldon pointed out all the fun rides.

Al Whitaker, spokesperson for the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, says the center also highlights Alabama’s important role in the race to space and future space exploration.  “The rocket that took us to the moon was designed and built by Alabamians.  The rocket that launched America’s very first satellite was designed and built by Alabamians.  The program that NASA has developed to take us back to the moon and hopefully beyond in a few decades that’s being managed by Alabamians right here.”

As NASA’s first visitors’ center, the Huntsville attraction opened its doors almost forty years ago.  12 million people have taken in the sites here since then, many coming from other countries.  We talked to a group of teens from England who were in Huntsville for Space Camp.

Owen Warren is a 14-year-old from Essex in the United Kingdom.  He was excited about the activities.  “We’ve prepared for lift-off, did a mission training , rock climbing, simulators as well so its a lot of good stuff. It’s a great chance you won’t get another chance like this.”

Another Space Camp participant from England, 15-year-old Jack Fitsall said, “You get to experience the things you learn in school you get to experience that first hand.”

You can get a look at a national treasure suspended ten feet in the air, the Saturn V rocket, which has been restored to its Apollo-era condition, and find out some of the more practical aspects of surviving in space.

Al Whitaker explained some of the unexpected things you might find out on your visit, “We have hundreds of other exhibits that’ll show you how astronauts go to the bathroom in space, how they eat in space.”

The folks the space center really pride themselves that they pack in a lot of educational information into some fun hands on activities like a space-shot ride that actually simulates a launch.

Al Whitaker explained, “You have to reach out and grab the interest of children to engage them.

Whitaker says one of the center’s goals is to show youngsters the importance of math and science so they can have the option of a high-tech career one day. 

The Space & Rocket Center is about an hour and a half from Birmingham.  Head north on I-65, take exit 340 which is I-565, then take exit 15 and follow the signs.

At a cost of $20 for adults and $15 per child, you can spend a day exploring the museum and riding the rides.  Kids under six get in free.  Add an I-MAX or 3-D movie to the package for less than $20 more for the whole family.

Lisa Crane hit the road to find other one-tank getaways that won’t cost families an arm and a leg.  Watch for them Thursday mornings in July on Today in Alabama on NBC13HD. 

Here’s her tour of Noccalula Falls in Gadsden.