Lunch With Someone Who Has Been to Space
The Meet an Astronaut experience at Kennedy Space Center is a separately ticketed event (approximately $30 per person in addition to the admission ticket) where a NASA astronaut — typically a veteran of Space Shuttle or International Space Station missions — spends approximately 30–60 minutes with a group of visitors, sharing their experience of spaceflight, answering questions, and posing for photographs and autographs. The astronaut is a real person who has been to space — not an actor, not a presenter, not a simulation. The directness of the encounter (asking a question and receiving an answer from someone who has orbited the Earth, conducted spacewalks, or lived on the International Space Station for months) is what makes the experience distinctive.
The format is typically a small-group setting (the audience size varies — from approximately 20 to 100+ depending on the event) in a dedicated room within the Visitor Complex. The astronaut presents a brief overview of their career and their missions (with photographs and video from their flights), then opens the floor for questions. The questions from children (“What does space smell like?” “Can you cry in space?” “What happens if you sneeze in your helmet?”) often produce the most memorable answers. The astronaut signs autographs and takes photographs with attendees after the Q&A.
The astronauts who participate are drawn from the NASA astronaut corps (active and retired). The specific astronaut varies by date — you may meet a shuttle pilot, an ISS commander, a spacewalk veteran, or (more rarely) an Apollo-era astronaut. The identity is typically announced a few days before the event.
Dine with an Astronaut is the premium version — a sit-down lunch (approximately $50–70 per person) with the astronaut at your table, providing a more intimate, longer, and more conversational format than the group presentation. The dining format allows extended Q&A and the personal interaction that the group format compresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Meet an Astronaut cost?
Approximately $30 per person (in addition to the standard admission ticket). Dine with an Astronaut: approximately $50–70 per person (includes lunch). Both must be booked in advance.
Will I know which astronaut I am meeting?
The astronaut is typically announced a few days before the event. The specific astronaut varies by date and availability.
Is Meet an Astronaut worth it?
For anyone who has ever looked at the night sky and wondered what it is like up there — yes. The directness of the encounter (a real person, a real experience, your questions answered by someone who has lived it) is unlike any museum exhibit, film, or simulation. For children with a space interest, the experience can be formative.
How is “Chat with an Astronaut” different from “Meet an Astronaut”?
The Chat format (covered separately) is a smaller, more intimate setting — typically fewer attendees, more direct interaction, and a more conversational dynamic. The Meet format is the larger-group presentation with Q&A and photo opportunities. The Chat is the more personal experience; the Meet is the more accessible and more affordable.