Calling the Next Generation of Space Explorers! New Interactive Gameplay Experience – Cosmic Quest – Launches at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Imagine making your way to Mars in a simulated capsule with a mission to create a habitat on the planet in order to protect astronauts from poisonous dust and radiation. Or, assembling your own launch team from a pool of NASA's best. These and other exciting space adventures are now a reality at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Its newest visitor experience – Cosmic Quest – an interactive live-action game experience, designed by Creative Kingdoms, engages and inspires young guests known as “trainees” like never before by immersing them in a number of STEM-based (science, technology, engineering and math) space adventures while teaching them about NASA's current and future space science and exploration endeavors.

Today, teams of 16 students from Brevard, Seminole, Volusia and Orange counties in Florida joined forces with veteran space shuttle astronauts Jon McBride, Norm Thaggard and Mike McCulley and Apollo astronaut Al Worden to take Cosmic Quest missions on an inaugural test flight.

“Never before have we been able to offer our younger guests the opportunity to engage directly with NASA designed missions in this way,” said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. “By introducing Cosmic Quest, guests discover firsthand how to launch a rocket, redirect an asteroid, and build a habitat on Mars – all based on real NASA missions. This gameplay experience is designed to inspire and educate young people about STEM: science, technology, engineering and mathematics.”

Cosmic Quest kiosks are incorporated throughout the visitor complex, and offer a host of NASA-inspired adventures:

• In NASA's Next Rocket Launch Adventure, located at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, “trainees” assemble their launch team from a pool of NASA's best, including environmental engineers, biologists, computer scientists and other experts, each of whom are instrumental in overcoming challenges leading up to the launch. As the rocket lifts off the pad, the trainee – safe in mission control – is immersed in the sensations of the launch, including powerful vibrations and steam.
• At Mars Habitat Adventure, located in Journey To Mars: Explorers Wanted, trainees can pick from two exciting missions: building a research exploration base or building a permanent habitat, both of which must be able to protect inhabitants from poisonous dust and radiation on the Red Planet and keep them physically and mentally fit. During the adventures, trainees will learn about the complications of living on the surface of Mars and the components needed to sustain human life. Trainees see their habitat or base displayed as a 3-D holograph while using a high-definition touch screen to assemble all of their necessary parts.
• Asteroid Capture Adventure, located within the IMAX® Theater, calls for trainees to command a robotic spacecraft and overcome challenges in deep space to capture and redirect an asteroid. This deep-space adventure takes place in front of a massive half-dome screen, which completely immerses trainees in “outer space” as they redirect the asteroid into the orbit of Earth's moon.
• Finally, the International Space Station Research Adventure, located within Space Shuttle Atlantis, challenges Trainees to gather items and information to complete various experiments on the International Space Station (ISS): Humans in Space, Plant Systems in Space, Materials in Space and Closed Loop Systems. Trainees perform life-science experiments and discover what astronauts are doing on the ISS right now. Using large, interactive touch screens, trainees will solve challenges such as countering the negative effects of microgravity on the human body and creating an efficient greenhouse to grow vegetables using aeroponics. While performing the experiments, trainees find out how space research will not only prepare humans for life on Mars, but also how it improves medicine, farming and technology here on Earth.

Robonaut, a replica of NASA's real R2 robot currently working aboard the ISS, serves as a virtual narrator and guide as Cosmic Quest trainees use their “astronaut badges” as activation devices to interact with digital progression points and touch screens located throughout each of the exhibit areas.

Cosmic Quest costs $24.95 in addition to the price of daily admission. All adventures are included in the price; the completion of one adventure is not dependent on other adventures. Cosmic Quest badges can be used for an entire year.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S. space program, offering a full day or more of fun and educational activities, including the Kennedy Space Center Tour featuring the Apollo/Saturn V Center with an actual Saturn V moon rocket, Space Shuttle AtlantisSM, Shuttle Launch Experience®, IMAX® Hubble 3D and Journey To Space films, Astronaut Encounter, Journey To Mars: Explorers Wanted, Science on a Sphere, Rocket Garden and many other interactive exhibits. Opening February 25, 2016 is Cosmic Quest. Only 45 minutes from Orlando, Fla., Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing times varying by season. Admission is $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers annual passes starting at $75 + tax for adults and $60 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com

Creative Kingdoms

Creative Kingdoms, a wholly owned subsidiary of Great Wolf Resorts, Inc., creates immersive live-action games for companies who want to connect with their customers, creating brand fanatics. Using proprietary gaming patents, Creative Kingdoms brings brands to life through technology, storytelling and gaming. More information can be found online at http://www.creativekingdoms.com .

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