United States Kennedy Space Center — Project 2027 (?)/Nova/Aero/NBT: Major Attraction?

[Python_Survivor]

Kennedy Space Center is building a new building located next to the Space Shuttle Atlantis building. Here's a look at the site plan:



Of note within this "after" site plan, there's outdoor "overflow" queue space, and more interesting to me- "Ride Vehicle Maintenance Drive". The site is 2.79 acres, with a building height of 3 floors. An elevator installation permit has also been applied for- under the name "Project Nova".

From the application narrative filed with the St. Johns Water Management District- "Project Aero proposes a new 55,000 Gross SF attraction facility that will feature a combination of show, ride, and support spaces located on an approximate 2.9-acre site southerly adjacent to the Atlantis exhibit."

Keep your eyes on this, rumors I've heard locally suggest a roller coaster could be coming to this plot!

 

[Thrills & Chills WQAQ]

wow if this is true that would be awesome. i went here in january and their ride offerings were pretty neat. the shuttle simulator was very very cool.

 

[Jonesta6]

Somehow I don't think it's going to be a coaster, though could contain some pieces of one. I think it's more likely to be some kind of dark ride.

 

[Python_Survivor]

Somehow I don't think it's going to be a coaster, though could contain some pieces of one. I think it's more likely to be some kind of dark ride.

I disagree. Kennedy Space Center has said publicly they're trying to go from being the museum where you learn about space, to being the place where you're experience what it's like to be in space- hence the addition of flight simulators and similar activities. I feel a roller coaster fits that vision significantly better than a dark ride.

 

[Zachary]

I've been following this project off and on for a while now. Earlier documents also referred to this project/the larger initiative with the codename "The Next Big Thing Experience" or the "NBT" for short.

The final NEPA assessment for the project can be found here under that previous codename:

https://netspublic.grc.nasa.gov/main/DNC-Admin-Complex_Final%20EA04-23-24.pdf

Everything I've gathered suggests that Kennedy Space Center expects this addition—whatever it is—to be really transformative. We know the KSC has had coaster ambitions before and I certainly, right now, think something like that COULD be on the table here. Very curious to see what happens.

 

[Jonesta6]

I disagree. Kennedy Space Center has said publicly they're trying to go from being the museum where you learn about space, to being the place where you're experience what it's like to be in space- hence the addition of flight simulators and similar activities. I feel a roller coaster fits that vision significantly better than a dark ride.

Who's to say until further details are revealed?

My thought is why would they try building something that directly competes the theme parks in the general vicinity? Especially since Legoland is opening up their own space themed coaster in a box just down the street, and Space Mountain has existed as a global park icon for Disney for the last half century or so.

Instead, they could put in a custom thrilling dark ride - think closer to Escape From Gringotts than Spider-Man. Given their inherent theming, it would be something unique nobody else has.

That's not to say they will never get a coaster, but I think they'd be better off doing it outdoors with launches.

 

[TPoseOnTantrum]

The site is very very flat and clear;

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