01/02/2025
Question for discussion:
Why do we have to pay admission to visit the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, which is part of NASA and funded entirely by taxpayer dollars? Other federally funded landmarks like the Smithsonian museums and many National Parks are free to visit.
Shouldn’t we encourage families to learn about and preserve the history of space exploration, including the sacrifices made by everyone—from machinists (like those from Fall River, MA, and across the U.S.) to scientists and astronauts?
After some research, here’s what I found:
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is not directly operated by NASA. Instead, it’s managed by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, a private contractor. While NASA itself is federally funded, the visitor complex is self-supporting through admission fees and other revenue.
This raises some questions:
• Does this private contractor pay rent or share profits with NASA?
• If so, how much of the revenue benefits the space program versus covering operational costs or generating profit or CEO Salaries?
For context, as of early 2024, the basic admission prices for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex were:
- Adult (age 12+): around $75
- Child (ages 3-11): around $65
- Children under 3: Free
Additional experiences like the "Chat with an Astronaut" or special guided tours cost extra. Prices can vary based on the season and any ongoing promotions. I recommend checking the official Kennedy Space Center website for current pricing and special offers as these rates may have changed since my last update.
