CLOSED on Thanksgiving Day 28 November 2024

THE HISTORY OF THE AIR FORCE, THE SPACE FORCE & SPACE

The Sands Space History Center, formerly known as The Air Force Space and Missile History Center, an extension of the museum, is located just outside the south gate of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The history center was renamed after Major General Harry J. ‘Bud’ Sands Jr. who originally proposed the creation of a museum at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station dedicated to its space history.

Admission is free!

Since the History Center is located just outside of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, no Cape access pass is required. The History Center contains historic information and displays for each Launch Complex (LC) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. To visit the rest of the Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum, you can schedule a tour through Canaveral Tours. You can also explore our website to learn more about other artifacts and related history.

A gift shop and restrooms are available inside the building. The shaded picnic area is just outside the History Center door, so bring your lunch and enjoy the afternoon.

Click HERE for directions to the Sands Space History Center

How to get to the Sands Space History Center VIEW EVENTS AT THE HISTORY CENTER History Center Hours Our Gift Shop Become a Volunteer

Key History Center Artifacts

Atlas Booster Engine

Model used on all Atlas rocket launches.

ASSET Vehicle

Research glide vehicle launched on Thor missile.

Heatsink Nose Cone

Used in Apollo launches to measure dynamic flight pressures during atmospheric flight.

Jupiter Nose Cone

Used on Jupiter Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles.

Loki and Launcher

Rocked used in meteorological and science applications.

Mercury Boilerplate Capsule

Used to train recovery forces during the Mercury manned space flight program.

Pershing I Nose Cone

First solid fuel Medium Range Ballistic Missile to be deployed by the U.S. Army.

Rocket Assisted Take Off (RATO) Booster

Solid-fueled rocket motor that boosted Mace missiles.

Titan I Second State Engine

Used to liquid oxygen to power the 2nd stage of the Titan I ICBM.

Other Museum Facilities

Directions to the History Center

From the South & East
(Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach)

  1. Travel north on A1A
  2. Exit right onto SR 401 (Exit 54A, A Terminals 5-10. North Cargo Piers)
  3. Drive over the Barge Canal drawbridge. You will begin to see signs to the Air Force Space Museum and History Center at this point.
  4. Continue past the North Cruise Terminals and the North Port (two traffic lights).
  5. Stay in the right lane and look for the traffic light ahead after passing the fuel storage tanks and Cape Pass & Identification building.
  6. Turn right at the traffic light, then immediately turn left into the parking lot driveway. The Sands Space History Center is the tallest of the 4 buildings in the group.

From the West & North
(Orlando and I-95)

  1. Travel east on SR 528 (Beachline – Bennett Causeway)
  2. Exit right onto SR 401 (Exit 54A – A Terminals 5-10. North Cargo Piers)
  3. Drive over the Barge Canal drawbridge. You will begin to see signs to the Air Force Space Museum and History Center at this point.
  4. Continue past the North Cruise Terminals and the North Port (two traffic lights)
  5. Stay in the right lane and look for the traffic light ahead after passing the fuel storage tanks and Cape Pass & Identification building.
  6. Turn right at the traffic light, then immediately turn left into the parking lot driveway. The Sands Space History Center is the tallest of the 4 buildings in the group.

SANDS SPACE HISTORY CENTER
100 Spaceport Way | Building 90328 | Cape Canaveral, FL 32920