Kennedy Space Center
Bringing The Gantry to life with ultra-bright LED displays that reinvent how visitors experience LC-39
The Gantry at LC-39 has been reinvented as a high-impact, future-focused attraction through a suite of resilient, ultra-bright LED installations engineered by LED Studio. Designed to withstand Florida’s intense sun, coastal conditions, and the raw force of nearby rocket launches, these displays power everything from real-time environmental storytelling to immersive simulations and interactive rocket-building experiences. Together, they transform a historic launch site into one of Kennedy Space Center’s most engaging and technologically advanced visitor destinations.
Merritt Island, USA
Challenge
Once a must-see stop for viewing Space Shuttle launches, Kennedy Space Center Vistior Complex’s LC-39 fell off the visitor map after shuttle flights ended in 2011. Since then, the landscape has changed dramatically, with annual launches jumping from five to more than 90, and with SpaceX, Blue Origin and NASA all operating nearby, LC-39 suddenly found itself back in the spotlight.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex saw the moment: reimagine the site as a high-impact, future-forward attraction that could hold visitor attention for at least an hour and relieve pressure across the complex. That meant delivering an immersive, edge-of-your-seat experience, powered by LED technology that could withstand hurricane winds, salt air and rocket vibrations, while still dazzling under the Florida sun.
Kennedy Space Centre
Kennedy Space Center is NASA’s premier spaceport, located on Merritt Island, Florida. It’s a working launch facility with historic landmarks like the Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Control Center. Alongside its operational role, it hosts a major visitor complex where guests can explore spacecraft, meet astronauts, experience simulators, and take behind-the-scenes tours.
LED Studio understands what we’re up against - the harsh conditions, the tight tolerances, and the high expectations. They helped us design something that would literally dissolve if it were not built right. But what we ended up with is better than I imagined.
- Richard Bahorich, Development Project Manager, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Solution
LED Studio partnered with Kennedy Space Center to deliver high-performance LED installations across the LC-39 experience.
At the heart of the stadium, a 24' x 14' Fortis Plus 6mm Streaming Display broadcasts live NASA, SpaceX, and ULA feeds and daily educational content. Inside the Gallery Space, the 32' x 9' curved Earth Pulse Hyperwall presents live satellite data on climate, weather, and environmental events.
The Gantry features an L-shaped display synchronised with a theatrical simulation, including a 7.5-ton mock engine and an AI character “Sol” resolving technical challenges in real time.
Up on the fourth floor, Edge 1.8mm GOB screens allow visitors to design and simulate rocket launches at 12 interactive stations. Throughout the building, Aegis 1.8mm displays deliver trivia, wayfinding, and educational content.
Richard Bahorich
"It’s our newest, most compelling asset, and LED Studio played a huge part in making it happen."
People absolutely love the displays. Every commercial you see now includes The Gantry at LC-39.
- Richard Bahorich, Development Project Manager, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Results
Since reopening in July 2025, The Gantry at LC-39 has become the crown jewel of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Guest dwell times consistently top an hour, engagement has spiked, and the site now features prominently across the centre’s commercial campaigns and social channels.
At the heart of the experience are the LED Studio displays, anchoring the visual narrative and pulling visitors into the story of spaceflight, science, and innovation. The signature L-shaped gantry screen has emerged as an icon, now front and centre on Kennedy’s official print brochure and instantly recognisable across media.