Catch a glimpse of history

AP photo

I admit it. The space shuttle on a gadget blog is pretty big stretch. The shuttle may not be the typical gadget you read about on this blog, still it’s no less interesting. But if you have a love of things electronic, digital or science-related, then this should be right up your alley.

For a very limited time, NASA is giving science buffs of all ages the opportunity to purchase shuttle launch tickets for the final voyage of the Atlantis — or any shuttle — from Kennedy Space Center. The launch of shuttle mission STS-135 is planned for Friday, July 8 at 11:40 a.m., barring any bad weather or unforeseen problems. This will be the last time in history to witness the launch of any NASA space shuttle.

AP photo

The registration process will be from May 30 at 9 a.m. through June 5, 2011 at 5 p.m., and a random drawing will be conducted to pick the lucky space cadets who will then be notified via email of the opportunity to buy the launch viewing tickets. The winner then will have one day to buy the tickets, which are $61 for adults and $51 for children between ages 3-11. And according to the Kennedy Space Center website, if you do not buy the tickets in a day, "your opportunity will be forfeited.” Each person can buy up to six tickets per household.

To find out how to participate in the ticket lottery, visit the ticket website at http://web.venue365.com/ksc/index.jsp or visit the Kennedy Space Center website for more information at http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/space-shuttle-launch-viewing-tickets.aspx

And for those who can’t afford to buy the tickets or have bad luck with lotteries, there is a website with information on the best places along the Florida coast to see the launch “off-site.”