🚀What’s it like to live in space? Mission: Astronaut now open at the Orlando Science Center

ORLANDO, Fla. – Ever wondered what it’s like to live and work in space? A new hands-on exhibit at Orlando Science Center aims to answer that question, guiding visitors through the training, teamwork, and daily routines of astronauts.

Mission: Astronaut is now open and included with general admission, giving guests access to interactive experiences focused on what it takes to train for a mission, live in microgravity, and carry out critical jobs in space.

The exhibit walks visitors through the realities of astronaut life, with stations and activities that explore:

• How astronauts eat, sleep, and exercise in space
• What to pack for a space trip
• How different astronaut roles work together to complete a mission
• The “nuts and bolts” of spaceflight, from training to on-the-job tasks

A highlight for many visitors: a section on growing food during long missions—an increasingly important topic as space agencies plan for extended stays on the moon and, eventually, Mars.

Jeff Stanford, VP of marketing for Orlando Science Center, says the exhibit arrives amid renewed public interest in space exploration, including excitement around NASA’s Artemis program and a growing cultural fascination with astronauts.

The experience is designed to appeal across age groups—kids are drawn to the immersive environment and hands-on building elements, while teens and adults often focus on the real-world details of astronaut training and mission operations.

The exhibit is scheduled to close on May 3, making spring break an especially popular time to plan a visit.

Visitors can purchase tickets at the front counter or online. Orlando Science Center is typically open daily except Wednesdays, and plans to be open seven days a week when school is out, including spring break.

Mission: Astronaut is part of a broader lineup of space-themed programming currently running at the museum, including:

• “Space for Art,” an exhibit curated by astronaut and artist Nicole Stott, a Florida native and the first person to paint watercolor in space. The display includes artwork from astronauts spanning Apollo-era participants, NASA professionals and students worldwide.
• A film titled “From Ocean to Orbit,” focused on astronaut training, also included with admission.

With exhibits, films and interactive experiences across four floors, the science center is encouraging guests to make a full day of it—especially those looking for family-friendly things to do in Orlando.