IT'S OUT OF THIS WORLD

STUART JAMES REACHES FOR THE STARS AT ICONIC NASA LOCATIONS IN FLORIDA

WHEN I was a kid there were only a handful of things I wanted to be when I grew up - a footballer, a musician, a firefighter, or if I really was lucky and did well at school, an astronaut.

Growing up in the 1980s, the sight of Nasa's shuttles launching into space captured not only my imagination, but those of people the world over.

Alas, I didn't realise that particular dream, but an early entry onto my travel 'bucket list' was a trip to Cape Canaveral on Florida's Space Coast and most definitely a couple of days at the famous Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (kennedyspacecenter.com).

When I finally got to make that dream trip across the pond, I was buzzing with excitement.

This dynamic collection of cosmic exhibits and hands-on experiences, will, quite simply, blow your mind.

From the garden itself, where an expert will guide you on a fascinating mission through the rockets, to the outstanding Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, which boasts three exhilarating rides taking you to galaxies far, far away, you will journey through the past, present and future of space travel.

The Apollo/Saturn V Center, a short bus ride away, tells the story of how the impossible was made possible and pays homage to the people and machines that launched man into space and then landed on the Moon.

But the jewel in the crown has to be the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

After standing to watch the story of the shuttle programme, she comes into view as the images projected onto a wall fade away and the doors open.

Jaws visibly drop to the ground as you realise the sheer magnitude of what is there before your eyes. It genuinely gave me goosebumps.

Suspended from the roof, this is the final resting place of a famous vehicle that flew 33 missions and logged more than 126 million miles and 307 days in space.