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Growing up, the place fascinated me. I wasn’t building model rockets in my backyard, but the idea of ​​floating among the stars always seemed like a nifty alternative to physics class. While my dreams didn’t lead me to NASA, they do occasionally lead to space. So, when the opportunity to attend Adult Space Camp arose, it felt like a cosmic nod to quiet daydreams, albeit with a grown-up twist.

Heading to Adult Space Camp means going away for a weekend with my husband without our 5-year-old lively son (because when they offer family space camp, there’s something about the phrase “no kids allowed” that sounds like heaven. (feels like when you’ve just survived another round of birthday parties).

What better way to spend Mother’s Day than to skip the brunch crowds for a weekend of zero-gravity fun in Huntsville, Alabama?

So there we were, planning to trade sippy cups and soccer games for spacesuits and simulators, and see if pondering the mysteries of the universe would take us on an adventure far beyond the orbit of our routines.

Can strapping into a flight simulator or maneuvering through a mock space mission rekindle the thrill of discovery and bring us closer as a couple? We were on a mission to find out if an out-of-this-world getaway could be the ultimate way for couples to rekindle their cosmic spark.

What is Adult Space Camp?

Adult Space Camp at the US Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, also known as Rocket City, brings every latent childhood dream of space exploration to vivid life. Officially called Adult Space Academy, this “camp” experience isn’t just about walking through a museum; It’s an immersive dive into the life of an astronaut, complete with all the educational thrills of real astronaut training.

Upon arrival, participants are whisked through a weekend of rigorous but fun activities that closely mirror the actual astronaut training process. You’ll experience everything from receiving mission briefings to engaging in hands-on activities like building and launching model rockets. The camp is equipped with high-fidelity simulators, including a multi-axis trainer, which mimics disorientation in a tumbling spacecraft, and a 1/6th gravity chair, offering a taste of what it’s like to walk on the moon.

What sets this camp apart is not only the opportunity to live a day in the life of an astronaut but also the opportunity to interact with real space artifacts, some of which are not normally available to the public, such as a pair of lunar boots. . You get to see, touch and learn about pieces of space history that have seen the universe up close, adding an authentic level of awe to the experience.

The academic component is strong. It dives into the details of spacecraft engineering, orbital mechanics, and the science behind human spaceflight. Trainers, who have backgrounds in aerospace and science, provide in-depth explanations and demonstrations of how astronauts prepare for and execute their missions in space.

The three-day camp, which starts at $899 per person, includes two nights of dorm-style accommodations — styled after actual astronaut quarters to increase the authenticity of the experience — and all meals from Friday dinner to Sunday breakfast. Preferring a touch more comfort, we chose to stay off-site, allowing us to enjoy camp during the day while retreating to a more luxurious setting at night. While die-hard space enthusiasts will appreciate staying on site, this flexibility in lodging choices makes the camp attractive to those looking for a unique, educational adventure without sacrificing comfort. Unfortunately, there is no discount on the cost of Space Camp if you stay off-site.

Bonding on boosters

Working on an adult space camp with your significant other isn’t just another couples’ vacation; It’s a full-throttle dive into the universe where building rockets and exploring mission crises bring new dimensions to your relationship. At least, it happened to us.

Here, between simulators and space artifacts, we discovered each other’s strengths, quirks, and hidden talents in ways that are not often revealed in everyday life.

Rocket-building sessions at space camp turned into an unexpected arena of friendly competition and admiration between my husband and me. While he’s the hands-on builder type, a veritable Boy Scout prodigy who can fashion anything from fire pits to furniture, my rocket took the biggest leaps—a delightful take on the typical results of our usual DIY endeavors. We stood side-by-side, launched our creations and shared high-fives and laughs as my surprisingly aerodynamic rocket outperformed his expertly crafted but slightly less flyable model.

Then came the infamous heat shield experiment, an exercise in humility and joy. Acting as a barrier against intense heat, our creations were less shielded and more inviting to disaster. It failed so spectacularly that our instructor couldn’t resist capturing the moment which would make for a hilarious, and hopefully educational, blooper reel. Watching our project combust could have been frustrating, but instead, it turned into a moment of shared fun and learning.

Then came experience in mission control, which is like the ultimate relationship trust exercise. Here, communication is key. You can crunch numbers and make important decisions with just seconds to spare while others interact with the shuttle. The scenario mimics the high-pressure environment that real astronauts face, demanding a level of harmony and understanding that can bring couples closer together.

Watching my husband, with laser focus, attempt to navigate our simulated shuttle while I handled communications and data from Mission Control was both hilarious and heartwarming. After all, it’s not every day you get to say “Honey, the shuttle door is open” while simulating the shuttle’s re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.

The other day, when a simulation threw us a serious oxygen depletion error, my husband brought humor to the high-stress scenario. He staged a dramatic scene where he and his teammates pretended to pass out, leaving everyone in stitches. It was a testament to their ability to keep spirits high even when artificial oxygen levels were supposedly low.

These Space Camp experiences reminded me of another profound moment in our relationship. Years ago, I was with him Tour de France, his lifelong dream. Although cycling is not my passion, I was delighted to see him pedal to the top of the Col de Port, where he completed the stage. How must he have felt seeing me accept the role of an astronaut at Space Camp, a dream come true right before his eyes.

Space Camp isn’t just about rockets and simulations; It’s about seeing each other in a new light, pushing boundaries together, and learning together. Navigating the simulated challenges of space brought us closer, deepened our bond and added some of the most memorable memories to our shared journey. Whether handling unexpected mishaps in mission control or cheering for a surprisingly successful rocket launch, every moment spent at Space Camp is one of the best adventures experienced together.

Huntsville is a charming getaway with a galactic twist

Now, you might not think of Huntsville as this The most romantic place in the world. But, after a day driving around in a simulator and navigating a mock space mission, the town provided the down-to-earth backdrop we needed to enjoy our weekend.

We stayed 106 Jefferson Huntsville, Curio Collection by Hilton ($163 per night rate or 51,000 Hilton Honors points), which is a stone’s throw from the Space Center (at least in Earth’s gravity) and features mid-century-modern design from the Golden Age of space exploration with quirky space-themed art (Shout). For the baker and the able, spacefaring monkeys!). Of course, it helped to have a plush touch like a king-sized bed dressed in comfy Irish linens to sink into at the end of the day.

The hotel’s rooftop bar, called Baker & Able, became our decompression chamber for the night. We toasted the stars with cocktails like the Singularity ($20), which features Old Forester, rosemary and pink peppercorn syrup, bourbon cherry, orange bitters and Angostura bitters. And there’s the Orion’s Buck ($15) with Rittenhouse rye, lemon, peach real puree syrup and ginger beer.

Outside the hotel, we arrived at The Kaffeeklatsch, a vibrant spot popular with locals featuring a working coffee roaster dating back to 1929. We tucked into fresh tuna tacos at Sea Salt, a modern seafood restaurant known for its inventive seafood fare like Maine lobster pancakes. .

For a sweet finish, we hit Pizzelle’s Confectionery, a nationally acclaimed candy shop that serves bonbons made from fair trade chocolate.

Final thoughts

So, is space camp a great couples vacation? absolutely. It wasn’t just a playful escape from parenthood; It was a rare opportunity to explore new frontiers together, proving that sometimes, the best way to reconnect is to shoot for the stars — literally. This experience not only brought us closer; It reawakens our sense of adventure, which everyday responsibilities can often overshadow. Now back home, whether he’s joining me for a murder mystery documentary or I’m getting up early to watch the Tour de France with him, we regularly commit to supporting each other’s interests. Every shared experience, big or small, strengthens our bond and deepens our appreciation for each other’s passions.

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