My Research Trip to Kennedy Space Center

One of the biggest highlights of last December was my research trip to Kennedy Space Center in Florida! A visit to NASA was a must during my quick trip—after all, KSC originally sparked my love for space back in 2016, a passion that still fuels this company today. Every time I go back, I’m reminded of just how much I love space exploration, and this visit was no exception.

Sitting inside this Replica Mercury Capsule is so strange. It is TINY.	My dad and me posing in front of the "Meatball" Logo! Notice that it is all dressed up for Christmas!	The Rocket Garden is so cool, you can see it from a few miles away, and when you get there, the short tour is the best way to start the day!

One of the most inspiring parts of the trip was the Women in Space exhibit, celebrating 40 years of women in spaceflight. The exhibit featured stunning artwork alongside the stories of the trailblazing astronauts who have helped shape space exploration. Seeing how far we’ve come—and how many incredible women have paved the way—was both moving and motivating. Two of the women featured in the artwork were Sally Ride and Shannon Lucid, both legends in their own right. Seeing their stories presented through art was a powerful reminder of the barriers they broke and the legacy they left behind.

Sally Ride Pencil Drawing. STUNNING.	Shannon Lucid Charcoal Drawing

Art display at the Atlantis Center	Can we just appreciate how gorgeous this logo is?

It was also fascinating to see how much KSC has changed since my last visit in 2016. One major addition was the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, which was still under construction during my last trip. It was amazing to finally walk through it and see the ways NASA has honored its astronauts over the years.

Had to say hi to my favorite Apollo Era Astronaut!	I literally have been waiting to see inside this building for 9 years. Also check out that etching of the Mercury 7! Beautiful.	My girl! We love you Sally.

Another new and deeply moving addition was the Apollo 1 memorial, called "Ad Astra Per Aspera"—a Latin phrase meaning "A Rough Road Leads to the Stars." The exhibit, located inside the Saturn V Center, is beautifully curated, offering a heartfelt tribute to Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee, who tragically lost their lives in the Apollo 1 fire. The way NASA has chosen to honor these three astronauts is incredibly moving, ensuring that their sacrifice will never be forgotten.

This was my favorite display in the "Ad Astra Per Aspera" exhibit. When the Apollo 1 fire broke out, 33 NASA and NAA personnel risked their lives in a desperate attempt to save the three astronauts inside. Despite facing toxic smoke, flames, and grave danger, their efforts were heroic. This display honors their bravery, showcasing their personal badges from that night alongside a stopped clock marking the exact moment the fire ignited.

 

But the moment that truly overwhelmed me? Seeing the Saturn V rocket again. It wasn’t the size that got to me this time—it was the sheer emotion of standing before it after nearly a decade of only remembering it. When I first visited KSC in 2016, I don’t think I fully appreciated what I was looking at. In the years since, I’ve completely fallen in love with the Saturn V. I own the LEGO model, I’ve done countless hours of research, I’ve used my LEGO Saturn V to explain the rocket to anyone who would listen, and I’ve spent so much time immersed in its history. Seeing it again, now understanding it in a way I didn’t before, was surreal and magical. It was like reuniting with an old friend and realizing just how much they meant to you all along. And as if that moment wasn’t already special enough, I actually ate lunch sitting under it—which was both delicious and very, very cool.

I can’t overstate how much this room changed my life. In 2016, I walked in thinking space was cool but was mostly there for a fun trip with my dad. I walked out completely obsessed, determined to learn everything I could. This exhibit, a presentation and simulation of the Apollo 7 launch sequence, uses the original mission control computers from that era. As the "Go, No-Go" callouts play and the windows rumble, making it feel like the rocket is right behind you, something in me ignited—and I’ve been chasing that spark ever since.

Apollo 14 Command Module "Kitty Hawk" on display	I got to touch a moon rock! It was brought back on Apollo 17.	Literally I am so happy in this picture, I was crying right before I took it. I love the Saturn V so much.

 

An unexpected joy of the trip was the presentation at the Atlantis Center. Every major exhibit at KSC begins with a short presentation—to educate visitors and control crowd flow—but the one for the Space Shuttle Atlantis was much longer and came in two parts. I’ve always been more drawn to the Apollo era than the Space Shuttle program, so I wasn’t expecting to be deeply moved by it. But as the presentation ended, the curtain rose, and the shuttle was revealed—it was absolutely breathtaking. I had chills! It gave me a newfound appreciation for a part of NASA history I hadn’t connected with as much before.

Sitting in a replica of the command seat of the Space Shuttle—I can only imagine how many buttons there actually were!	Thank you to my dad for being my first intro to space and for going to this "Non-Negotiable" side quest with me while we were in Florida!

 

As if the day at KSC wasn’t already perfect, just after midnight, I got to watch a SpaceX launch from our house. Seeing that bright streak across the night sky, knowing a rocket was heading into orbit, was the absolute perfect way to end the trip.

This visit reminded me why I fell in love with space in the first place, and it reignited my creativity in a big way. One of my goals for 2025 is to finally bring more space-themed art into the shop. It’s kind of funny that a space-inspired company has been lacking in space art, but I’m excited to change that.

My dad's and my names are etched on the real Perseverance Rover that is currently on Mars—so of course, we had to take this photo with the replica!	This NASA insignia was hanging on the wall in Mission Control during the Apollo Era. Very cool!	There wasn't a ton yet about Artemis, but there was this very cool model of what the rocket may look like!

 

Stay tuned—more space-inspired designs are coming in 2025! 🚀✨

P.S. I put together a short Instagram reel from my trip—check it out here to see some of the highlights!

 

Golden Hour at the Rocket Garden was breathtaking.	My family had to literally drag me out of KSC as they were closing. I could have stayed another few hours easily! At least we got to watch the sun set over the water as we drove away.