- Governor Gavin Newsom welcomed the first public viewing of the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center at the state-owned Exposition Park, ahead of the Center’s forthcoming public opening this November.
- The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will open its doors to millions of children and families free of charge and serve as a source of inspiration for generations to come.
- On November 13, the California Science Center will unveil the launch pad-like display of the space shuttle Endeavour, marking its permanent home inside the new center.
- The Endeavour will stand in a dramatic 20-story 'ready-to-launch' position, making it the only display in the world with a complete shuttle stack, including the orbiter, solid rocket boosters, and a rare surviving external tank.
- The 200,000-square-foot addition to the California Science Center represents a $450-million expansion project.
- The Endeavour has been on public display at the Science Center since arriving in Los Angeles in 2012, after completing 25 NASA missions between 1992 and 2011.
- The 184-foot-tall stack, comprising the orbiter Endeavour, external tank, and twin solid rocket boosters, is believed to be the tallest indoor museum exhibit in the world.
- Construction of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center was completed in April 2024, nearly four years after groundbreaking on the project in June 2020.
The California Science Center will officially open the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center on Nov. 13, showcasing the Endeavour space shuttle in a dramatic launch position. This unique display, the only one of its kind in the world, features the orbiter, solid rocket boosters, and a rare external tank, standing nearly 200 feet tall.246
The $450 million expansion, which nearly doubles the Science Center's exhibit space, will house over 100 aerospace artifacts and hands-on exhibits focused on aviation and space exploration. Governor Gavin Newsom expressed excitement for the public's first viewing, emphasizing the center's role in inspiring future generations.1
“This takes me back! I am right there again, strapped in, excited to launch,” said Morgan, reflecting on the shuttle's legacy. Jeffrey Rudolph, president and CEO of the Science Center, noted, “It has been more than 30 years since we first dreamed of putting a shuttle in the launch position.” The Endeavour, which completed 25 NASA missions from 1992 to 2011, has been on display since 2012, and its new home is designed to provide an unparalleled experience of discovery and wonder.
The center aims to serve millions of children and families free of charge, fostering a love for science and exploration. “This expansion of our California Science Center is truly world-class,” said Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Secretary, highlighting the center's commitment to education and inspiration for generations to come.
“The California Science Center will unveil the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center on Nov. 13, showcasing the Endeavour in a unique launch position. This expansion aims to inspire future generations with a world-class experience in aviation and space exploration.”
