Kennedy Space Center's Astronaut Training Experience isn't a single thing you either buy or skip. In 2026, it's a family of four distinct programs, ranging from a quick 30-minute simulator add-on to a full-day Mars immersion. Knowing which one matches your group — and your budget — before you book makes a real difference, because none of these are included in standard admission and the prices add up fast.
The Four ATX Tiers at a Glance
ATX Training Stages are the entry-level option for guests who want a taste of Mars without surrendering half their day to it. There are three individual simulator experiences to choose from: the Microgravity Simulator, where you perform a simulated spacewalk in a frictionless environment; the Land and Drive on Mars full-motion rover simulator; and the Walk on Mars virtual-reality experience. Each stage runs about 30 minutes and is priced at $30 per person, plus tax. You pick one (or stack them), keep your regular admission day intact, and still have hours left to tour the rest of the complex. Height minimums apply — 48 inches for Microgravity and Walk on Mars, and 51 inches for the rover simulator — with a 275-pound maximum weight across all three. Ages 10 and up may participate; anyone between 10 and 17 needs a paying, participating adult along for the ride. Availability is limited and first-come, first-served, so pre-booking through the official site is strongly recommended.
ATX is the flagship half-day program. It runs roughly four to five hours — typically from 8:30 a.m. to around 1:30 p.m., though start times shift by season — and is priced at $175 per trainee, plus tax. Working in teams, participants practice docking skills, navigate Martian terrain through the rover simulator, and experience a simulated spacewalk using the microgravity technology. The program is built around authentic NASA science and engineering challenges, developed with real spaceflight expertise. Here's the planning detail that trips people up: ATX admission does not include entry to the main visitor complex. If your ATX session ends at 1:30 p.m. and the complex closes at 5 p.m., you'd need to buy a separate admission ticket to keep exploring — and at full price, that stings. The same age-10 minimum and English fluency requirement apply here.
ATX Plus is the practical fix for the problem above. It bundles the full ATX program with same-day admission to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for the remainder of the day after your training session ends. Based on current third-party booking data, ATX Plus runs approximately $232 per person with tax — meaningfully less than buying ATX and a separate admission ticket individually. If you were already planning to spend a full day at KSC and want the ATX experience, this is almost always the smarter financial choice. Check current pricing directly on the official site before booking, as these figures can shift.
Mars Base 1 is the longest and most immersive option, running five to seven hours and priced at $150 per participant, plus tax. The concept is different from ATX: rather than cycling through a set of simulators, you and your crew are essentially living and working on Mars for the day, tackling authentic science and engineering challenges together. It's a teamwork-heavy, narrative-driven format that tends to resonate strongly with school groups, older kids, and adults who love a collaborative problem-solving format. Like the other programs, it does not require visitor complex admission to participate — though KSC suggests combining it with a second-day admission ticket if you want to see the core exhibits too. Mars Base 1 can be booked as a public program for families and small groups, or reserved as a private event for larger parties; groups of 24 or more should call the reservations line at 1-855-433-4210.
Practical Booking Notes
- All ATX programs are located in the dedicated ATX Center inside the visitor complex, accessible from outside the main entrance gates — meaning you can check in for ATX or Mars Base 1 without a separate admission ticket.
- Closed-toe shoes are required for all simulator programs. Wear athletic footwear and stick to shorts or pants — skirts and dresses aren't recommended given how the simulators are designed.
- Health restrictions apply across the board: participants should be free from high blood pressure, heart, neck, or back conditions, and motion sickness. Expectant mothers should not participate. Maximum weight on all simulators is 275 pounds.
- Groups larger than 10 for ATX, or any private Mars Base 1 booking, require a phone reservation rather than online booking.
- Full payment is due at booking, and tickets are date-specific. If an operational event like a launch day causes cancellation, an alternate date or refund is offered — but otherwise the no-transfer policy is firm.
- The complex is about 45 miles east of Orlando; there's no public transit to the site, and parking runs around $15 per vehicle.
Is It Worth Adding to a Standard Admission Day?
Honest answer: it depends on what your group is actually there for. If you're primarily visiting to see Space Shuttle Atlantis, walk through Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, ride the Shuttle Launch Experience, and take the Saturn V bus tour, standard admission already delivers a rich, full day. Adding an ATX Training Stage for $30 a person is an easy yes if even one or two of the simulators catch your eye — it fits neatly into a regular visit without blowing your schedule. The full ATX program, at $175, is a more deliberate commitment: you're giving up the morning portion of your regular admission day (or adding it on top), and the experience is most rewarding for people who genuinely love hands-on simulation and team challenges rather than artifact-and-exhibit touring. ATX Plus is the move if you want both worlds in one day without the math headache of buying each piece separately. Mars Base 1 is its own beast — best treated as its own dedicated visit rather than an add-on.
Practical tip: Book whichever tier you choose directly through kennedyspacecenter.com as early as possible. Planning a Florida theme park trip? ATX sessions, especially weekend slots, sell out well before the visit date — walk-up availability on the day is not guaranteed. Wear comfortable closed-toe sneakers and bring a cooling towel for the walk between buildings in Florida's heat. Always verify current prices, hours, and program dates on the official site before finalizing your plans, as schedules vary by season.
