A groundbreaking ceremony has been held at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US as work started on the new home for the decommissioned Space Shuttle Atlantis.

The US$100m (€76m, £64m) Atlantis exhibit will be designed by PGAV Destinations and will become the landmark element of the Kennedy Space Centre's Visitor Complex.

It will anchor a 10-year master plan proposed by Delaware North Parks & Resorts, which has operated Kennedy Space Centre on behalf of NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) since 1995.

Scheduled to open in 2013, the 65,000sq ft (6,000sq m) exhibit will provide guests with a unique vantage point to view Atlantis up close, while telling the story of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program through a number of hands on, interactive and immersive media.

Atlantis was decommissioned in July 2011. NASA decided that the shuttle should become a permanent visitor attraction and awarded Kennedy Space Centre the right to home the shuttle.

Bill Moore, chief operating officer, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, said: "Today marks the start of a new era in which this magnificent ship, Atlantis, which has traveled to space and back an astounding 33 times, will remain docked in her home port, displayed in all her glory with a new mission to uphold - to inspire a new generation of space explorers who will take us to even greater heights."

For more info, click here for www.kennedyspacecenter.com

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