Space Visor VR headset offers virtual tour of space artifacts, space station

Former astronaut Jon McBride uses the Space Visor headset in the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. (Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex)

Jan. 13, 2017

– Visitors to NASA's Kennedy Space Center can now take home the retired space shuttle Atlantis, the International Space Station and the entire solar system as a souvenir — all through a new virtual reality (VR) headset and app-driven experience.

Space Visor, available from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex gift shops and its online store, is designed to give its wearers the chance to continue their exploration of the complex and its space artifact exhibits after departing from the Florida spaceport.

"At [the] Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex we create immersive space experiences for our visitors," said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer, in a statement. "The Space Visor is the next step to bring our guests an unparalleled experience at the height of current technology."

Click to enlarge video and view in new pop-up window. (KSCVC)

Developed by Delaware North, the company that operates the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for NASA, and brandVR, Space Visor uses the owner's smart phone and a trio of custom-designed apps to immerse visitors in a VR world that "brings space artifacts to life."

The Space Visor takes users on a spacewalk outside the International Space Station, where they can explore inside and learn about the orbiting outpost's modules, and to the surface of the moon for an Apollo lunar rover ride. Wearers can also tour parts of the visitor complex where the public cannot go in real life, including exploring inside the Gemini 9 and Apollo 14 space capsules.

Three apps were developed for use with the Space Visor:

"KSC 360 Expedition" encompasses a virtual tour of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Users are prompted to learn about each launch vehicle in the Rocket Garden, gaze at the shuttle Atlantis as it was seen in orbit and explore the moon's surface at the Apollo/Saturn V Center.
"Space Dreams" explores a space-themed room of a young child to learn more about the planets in our solar system, a NASA Mars rover and a spacesuit.
"Edge of Home" gives users an astronaut's view of the International Space Station by taking part in an extravehicular activity (EVA, spacewalk) outside the outpost to learn more about each module.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's premium Space Visor VR headset with head strap. (Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex)

All three mobile apps can be downloaded for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

The headset, which costs $60, can be used while at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex or elsewhere. The Space Visor is recommended for use with flagship mobile devices produced since 2015, including the Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy.

For more information or to purchase, see Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's Space Visor website.