The Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral won’t miss a list of the best rocket launching sites in the United States.
But, considering the proximity of these sites to each other and the similarity of activities taking place there, is Cape Canaveral the same as the Kennedy Space Center?
The Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral aren’t the same, but spacecraft launches occur in both places. NASA’s complex, KSC, is situated on Merritt Island, an unincorporated town in Florida, 9 miles from Cape Canaveral on the road.
Nonetheless, you can view rocket launches from both places, but keep reading for a detailed comparison of Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center.
The Kennedy Space Center Vs. Cape Canaveral Compared
It is not difficult to understand why many people confuse the Kennedy Space Center with Cape Canaveral, considering they are close.
However, they are, and this section will help you see the differences.
Location
While KSC and Cape Canaveral are closely situated, they aren’t in one area.
For instance, the Kennedy Space Center is on Merritt Island, Florida, a landmass between the rivers Banana and Indian.
From Titusville city, you will need to go east until you get to the other side of the Indian river to get to Merrit Island and, in turn, the Kennedy Space Center.
To get to Cape Canaveral, continue east until you reach the other side of the Banana River. The land strip is found in Florida’s Brevard County.
Distance from Each Other
The distance between the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral is 10.11 miles.
However, it is 17 miles or 27.36 kilometers if you take the FL 3 route by car, taking you 25 minutes if you do not stop anywhere.
This is because both places are found in a similar time zone.
If you want to get to the Kennedy Space Center from Orlando, you will travel approximately 50 miles which is slightly less than an hour on the road.
However, it is worth noting that using a car is not the only option because plenty of people operate private buses that will get you to KSC and provide a fun-filled trip.
In Addition – If you are in the southern areas of Daytona Beach, it will take you more than an hour to drive to KSC.
Therefore, you can make a quick trip should you find yourself on the beach to check out the complex and the surrounding areas.
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Popular Activities at The Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral
This is where these areas have similarities. Visit the Kennedy Space Center or Cape Canaveral to witness shuttles and rockets enter space.
While there are lots of things to do at KSC, the highlight of your day would be watching a rocket launch if you visit on a day with a scheduled shuttle or rocket launch.
The Kennedy Space Center serves as a strategic zone for the Air Force, NASA, and Space Force. Private companies, such as SpaceX, also use the facilities for rocket shooting.
While rockets regularly set out to space from KSC, the schedules vary based on different enterprises and agencies.
However, peak seasons can see rockets launched every 4 to 6 weeks.
So although KSC and Cape Canaveral offer the best viewing points, technically, you can witness rockets ascend to space from across Florida state.
The Air Force Space & Missile Museum, located at Cape Canaveral, works to preserve the US space program history.
You can absorb Space Force’s incredible missile and space history knowledge and look at fascinating artifacts during a visit.
Watching rocket launches is not the only thing you can do at the Kennedy Space Center.
The visitor complex offers plenty, including IMAX theater movies, simulators, and tours.
What to Expect? There are exhibits on space heroes, intergalactic exploration science, a mission zone slew, and spacecraft.
Do The Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Make Up the Space Coast?
The Space Coast refers to the region in Florida state around the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and the Kennedy Space Center.
The area is mostly found within the county of Brevard, with the Treasure Coast bounding it on the south.
Central Florida is on the north and west, and the Atlantic Ocean is on the east.
Many cities are found in this area, including:
- Indian Harbour Beach
- Palm Bay
- Satellite Beach
- Indialantic
- Port St. John
- Cape Canaveral
- Cocoa
- Titusville
- Merritt Island
- Rockledge
- Melbourne Beach
- Cocoa Beach
- Melbourne
- and Viera
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Note
While the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral aren’t the same, they share similar resources and goals.
However, KSC supports private enterprises more, while military and government rocket launches are supported more in Cape Canaveral.
Therefore, if you are looking to learn everything about space and have fun, you are better off visiting the Kennedy Space Center.
Nonetheless, both places are worth visiting since they have a lot of exciting things to offer.
FAQs
1. How Far Is Kennedy Space Center from Cape Canaveral?
The KSC is 9 miles from Cape Canaveral if you go by road.
However, coming through the Canaveral cruise port will take you 15 minutes and 45 minutes on air from Orlando.
2. What Is Cape Canaveral Called Now?
Cape Canaveral has undergone many name changes, including the City of Cape Canaveral.
However, it was officially known as Cape Canaveral after being changed from Cape Kennedy on October 9th, 1973.
3. What Is Another Name for The Kennedy Space Center?
The Kennedy Space Center was initially called the NASA Launch Operations Center.
However, it also goes by the John F. Kennedy Space Center or KSC.
Final Remarks
We’ve established that the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral are different.
They are located in different places but pretty close; moving to and from both places will take just a few minutes.
However, they both have many amenities and tourist attractions, including rocket launching.
