Space Academy VIP Experience
with a Former Astronaut
Highlights
Did you ever dream of becoming an astronaut? Join Scientific American Travel for a VIP experience behind the scenes at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Known as Rocket City, Huntsville has been at the heart of America’s space program since the dawn of the Space Race, serving as the birthplace of the Saturn V rocket that carried astronauts to the moon. Meet scientists, engineers and astronauts and wear a personalized flight suit as you participate in space exploration simulations and astronaut training activities. Learn about the future of space exploration and research from the Blue Origin’s team, leaders in biotech and human genome research.
Expert Guide: Former Astronaut to Be Announced
This exclusive program is distinguished by the presence of a former astronaut who will accompany the group throughout the experience. While the specific astronaut will be confirmed closer to departure, you can expect unparalleled access rarely available to the public. The astronaut will join the group for meals and key programming, offering personal insights, stories from spaceflight and firsthand perspectives that bring the science, training and history of human space exploration vividly to life.
Scientific American has partnered with Academic Travel Abroad (ATA). Links from this brochure allow you to directly access websites operated by ATA. By clicking on these links, you will be leaving scientificamerican.com and directed to ATA. You can review their privacy policy here. Due to GDPR policies, ATA cannot accept customers from the EU, UK and Switzerland.
Itinerary
Katie Kirkland, U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Sunday, November 7: Blast Off
Transfer from the airport and settle into your hotel, conveniently located near Space Camp. Come together in the evening for a welcome reception and dinner at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center (USSRC). Dinner will be held in the Atrium, which showcases the Center’s traveling exhibits. USSRC educators will introduce USSRC and its history and provide an overview of what you and your fellow travelers will experience over the coming days. For an additional cost, on arrival this afternoon, those who choose can participate in an Underwater Astronaut Trainer, which is used to train astronauts to perform tasks in microgravity.
Included Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Huntsville Marriott at the Space & Rocket Center
Katie Kirkland, U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Monday, November 8: Science, Simulations, and Stars
Start the day with a private guided tour of Saturn V Hall, led by a former NASA expert. Explore iconic artifacts like the Apollo 16 capsule and learn about historic missions. After lunch, team up for your first simulated mission under the guidance of a former astronaut—an opportunity to ask questions and gain insider insights. Later, thrill-seekers can test astronaut simulators, including the Multi-Axis Trainer, the 1/6th Gravity Chair, 5 Degrees of Freedom Simulator and the Manned Maneuvering Unit. This evening, enjoy dinner in the Crew Galley followed by a live astronomy show and stargazing under the night sky.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Huntsville Marriott at the Space & Rocket Center
Katie Kirkland, U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Tuesday, November 9: Mission to Mars
Meet a Blue Origin representative to learn about cutting-edge commercial spaceflight innovations. Visit the historic Redstone Test Site, which dates to the founding years of the U.S. space program when Wernher von Braun and his colleagues tested rockets here. Explore a partial recreation of the International Space Station. During lunch, enjoy an inspiring panel discussion featuring NASA emeritus engineers and scientists who shaped America’s greatest space achievements. Then, unleash your creativity by building and launching model rockets alongside an astronaut. Tackle a Mission to Mars simulation that tests survival strategies on another planet. Tonight, enjoy dinner at leisure with time to explore Huntsville on your own.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Huntsville Marriott at the Space & Rocket Center
Katie Kirkland, U.S. Space & Rocket Center
Wednesday, November 10: Graduation Gala
Hear from a speaker from the Hudson Alpha Institute for Biotechnology, a nonprofit organization that seeks to unlock the secrets of the human genome to advance medical research (e.g., by sequencing the genome of a strawberry). After, experience the Aviation Challenge Flight Simulators or tour the planes in the Aviation Challenge with your astronaut expert. Explore rare archives with the head curator, including artifacts from Wernher von Braun (the founding scientist of the USSRC) and early U.S. space program milestones. Celebrate your accomplishments this evening with a graduation reception and dinner in the iconic Saturn V Hall.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Huntsville Marriott at the Space & Rocket Center
Thursday, November 11: Departure
Transfer from the hotel to the Huntsville International Airport for individual flights home.
Included Meal: Breakfast
Scientific American has partnered with Academic Travel Abroad (ATA). Links from this brochure allow you to directly access websites operated by ATA. By clicking on these links, you will be leaving scientificamerican.com and directed to ATA. You can review their privacy policy here. Due to GDPR policies, ATA cannot accept customers from the EU, UK and Switzerland.
Accommodations
Huntsville Marriott at the Space & Rocket Center
The Huntsville Marriott is ideally situated right on the grounds of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. Guests can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center, and multiple dining options. The comfortable rooms feature down-filled pillows and duvets, in-room tea and coffee makers, and flat-panel LCD televisions. (4 nights)
What's Included
All accommodations for the duration of the tour
Group transfers to and from airports
Meals as noted in the itinerary
All sightseeing and visits as noted in each itinerary
Expertise of a former astronaut, travel director and local guides throughout the program
All gratuities for on-tour guides, drivers, hotel and restaurant staff as part of the group program
All on-tour transportation, unless otherwise noted
The assistance of an ATA professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights and other services
Comprehensive pre-departure mailings and materials with information about the destination and what to expect on tour, including a suggested reading list
Emergency evacuation insurance
Scientific American has partnered with Academic Travel Abroad (ATA). Links from this brochure allow you to directly access websites operated by ATA. By clicking on these links, you will be leaving scientificamerican.com and directed to ATA. You can review their privacy policy here. Due to GDPR policies, ATA cannot accept customers from the EU, UK and Switzerland.