The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibition has opened to the public at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

More than 40 NASA astronauts attended the grand opening this weekend, which included more than 20 special NASA exhibits throughout the space centre's visitor complex.

The US$100m (£65.8m, €76.8m), 90,000 sq ft (8,360sq m) attraction features four multimedia and cinematic productions in addition to more than 60 interactive experiences inviting visitors to 'be the astronaut' including 21 flight simulators, an exhibit on the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station gallery.

The attraction features a 360-degree, multi-level view of the Atlantis, which was the fourth operational (and the penultimate) Space Shuttle to be constructed by Rockwell International in Southern California.

The Space Shuttle Atlantis has been hailed as the marquee element in a 10-year development plan for the Visitor Complex.

The Atlantis launched for its final voyage on 8 July 2011 and returned home successfully on 21 July 2011, when it landed at the Kennedy Space Centre where it will now be exhibited.