Rev Your Engines for "Rides and Rockets" at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center!
Space exploration and Corvettes have always been linked. During the height of the space race, legendary racer, Indy 500 winner, and dealer, Jim Rathmann partnered with General Motors to offer America’s astronauts $1-per-year leases on brand-new Corvettes. From Mercury through Apollo 15, many astronauts took advantage of the offer—but only twice did full crews receive matching Corvettes: Apollo 12 and Apollo 15.
Rides and Rockets is your chance to cruise in with your street-legal vehicle, see a replica of one of the Apollo 12 Corvettes, glimpse the most powerful Corvette ever made, and enjoy a unique evening under the Saturn V.
What to Expect:
- Feature Marque: See a replica of astronaut Pete Conrad's 1969 Apollo 12 Corvette! We will also have designated parking for Corvettes of all generations, and Chevrolet will be on site with the 2026 Corvette ZR1X Electrified Hypercar, whose engine is codenamed Gemini, the most powerful Corvette ever!
- Biergarten: Enjoy German-themed food and beverages, and live music under the magnificent Saturn V in the Davidson Center. (Biergarten runs Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.)
- Unique Atmosphere: Experience the iconic U.S. Space & Rocket Center in a whole new way.
- Cruise-In: Bring your car, motorcycle, trike, or any street-legal vehicle! All are welcome to participate.
Join us for an evening of cool rides, great food, and a stellar backdrop!
Rides and Rockets Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate?
All street-legal vehicles are welcome to cruise in. Cars, motorcycles, trikes, whatever you ride!
Is there a feature marque?
Yes, because we will be displaying a replica of astronaut Pete Conrad’s 1969 Apollo 12 Corvette, we will set aside designated parking for Corvettes of all generations in front of the Davidson Center. The National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, KY will also be bringing down a Corvette.
What is Biergarten?
Biergarten at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center is a weekly seasonal event in the Davidson Center where you can purchase German-themed food and beverages and dine underneath the Saturn V Apollo Dynamic Test Vehicle while listening to a live band. Biergarten occurs Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. https://www.rocketcenter.com/Biergarten
Where do I park for Rides & Rockets?
Feel free to park in any available parking spot that has not been designated for Biergarten-only guests. Handicap spots are for authorized vehicles with valid placards or license plates only. Electric charging stations are for E-vehicles only.
When can I start parking?
Please arrive no earlier than 4 p.m.
Where do I park if I just want to go to Biergarten?
Feel free to park in any available parking spot. There will be designated Biergarten parking and there is additional overflow parking in the east parking lot in front of the Space Shuttle Pathfinder and Main Entrance.
Are there any Cruise-in rules?
No burnouts, no racing, no speeding, no excessive revving, no loud music, or anything else that would disturb guests. Please occupy only one parking space per vehicle. The speed limit on USSRC property is 15 mph.
Information on the 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X Electrified Hypercar
Announced on June 17, 2025
- Horsepower: 1250 combined (1064hp Twin Turbo Flat-Plane Crankshaft LT7 5.5L V8 + 186hp electric eAWD system)
- Engine Codenamed Gemini. 50+ rocket icons stamped on the engine and hoses.
- Most powerful Corvette ever
- Largest turbos fitted to a production car (the F-1 rocket engine has the largest flown turbopumps)
- 0-60mph in under 2.0 seconds