The challenge
Once a must-see stop for viewing Space Shuttle launches, Kennedy Space Center Visitor 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 Centre 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.
The solution
LED Studio partnered with Kennedy Space Centre to deliver a suite of tailored, high-performance LED installations, each designed to elevate storytelling and interactivity across the LC-39 experience. These included:
1. The streaming screen – lifting off the launch experience
Positioned at the heart of the bleacher-lined stadium, the Fortis Plus 6mm Streaming Display features a 24’ x 14’ marine-grade screen mounted on two massive steel columns driven 25 feet into the ground to withstand Category 3 hurricanes and persistent launch vibrations. On launch days, it live-streams real-time feeds from NASA, SpaceX, and ULA, while daily programming includes educational videos about the launch pads, local wildlife, and more.
2. Earth Pulse Hyperwall – real-time environmental storytelling
Inside the Gallery Space, LED Studio installed a 32’ x 9’ curved COB Hyperwall using 1.2mm Vivid technology, built to withstand the vibrational forces of nearby launches. Known as the Earth Pulse, this eight-zone visual powerhouse showcases live satellite data from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center and JPL, including updates on climate change, weather systems, and environmental events around the globe.
3. Gantry launch simulation – theatrical tech meets space history
A standout feature of The Gantry at LC-39 is the custom L-shaped display embedded into the gantry facade, synchronised with a theatrical show that culminates in a simulated engine test fire. At the centre of this 30-minute experience is “Sol,” an AI character who solves technical issues in real time before launching a full-scale simulation featuring a 7.5-ton mock engine, including an actual J2 engine from the Apollo program.
LED Studio supplied the bright, weather-resistant Fortis Plus 6mm modules, to perfectly showcase the uniquely crafted bespoke L-shaped content, designed to complement dimensions of the display and preserve legibility and impact from all viewing angles.
4. Fourth floor rocket lab – interactive engineering and launch experience
Up in the Gantry’s enclosed fourth floor, visitors engage with Edge 1.8mm GOB screens at 12 digital stations where they build, design, and simulate rocket launches. Once complete, their creations are ‘launched’ on surrounding LED displays, either succeeding or failing depending on the user’s design.
5. Elevator and concourse displays – context, wayfinding, and trivia
Throughout the building, Aegis 1.8mm 3500-nit displays provide educational content and trivia while guests move between floors. From rocket fuel facts to crawler track stats, these screens offer bite-sized insights that complement the immersive experience.
The results
Since reopening in July 2025, The Gantry at LC-39 has become the crown jewel of Kennedy Space Centre 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.
“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. People absolutely love the displays. Every commercial you see [for the Visitor Complex] now includes The Gantry at LC-39. It’s our newest, most compelling asset, and LED Studio played a huge part in making it happen”, Richard Bahorich, Development Project Manager, Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex.
