Kennedy Space Center is blasting off into the New Year with the launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on January 3. The rocket will be thrust into the sky from SLC-40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and it promises to give guests just the excitement they are looking for in the New Year.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is expected to launch at 5:50 p.m. carrying Thaicom 6 communications satellite. This will be the second Falcon 9 launch in a month following the Dec. 3 launch of the SES-8 satellite. The rocket will fly in the Falcon 9 v1.1 configuration with upgraded Merlin 1D engines, larger fuel tanks and payload fairing. This satellite Thaicom 6 satellite will beam Ku-band and C-band services to Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

If you plan to see, feel and hear the rocket launch into space there is only one place to do so – the Apollo/Saturn V viewing area at Kennedy Space Center. This area offers the closest public launch viewing opportunity in Brevard County and features live NASA launch countdown commentary. Launch viewing, featuring live mission control commentary, also available from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is included in regular admission.

Prior to the launch feel free to roam around Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and explore the greatest space adventure on Earth! Your trip will include walking under the largest rockets ever made, touching an actual moon rock, meeting a veteran NASA astronaut, experiencing the International Space Station, standing in front of the Atlantis and, if you can believe it much more!

A sample day to the Center includes a visit to Space Shuttle Atlantis with Shuttle Launch Experience; General Bus Tour and exploring that viewing area we discussed earlier, Apollo/Saturn V Center; an IMAX 3D Space film; the new and already very popular Angry Birds Space Encounter; Lunch with an Astronaut; Exploration Space exhibit, the Rocket Garden; shows; shopping and whatever else you can fit into your intergalactic day.

To see, feel and hear the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch on January 3 at Kennedy Space Center look for discounted Kennedy Space Center tickets right here on Best of Orlando. When you do you’ll also experience the rest of the center’s many space-themed activities for a day that really is out-of-this-world!

Orlando, FL - 12/31/13