California Science Center Opens $450 Million Air and Space Center Nov. 13 With Endeavour Stack
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jun 24
California Science Center Opens $450 Million Air and Space Center Nov. 13 With Endeavour Stack
3 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · Jun 24
Summary
Nov. 13 will mark the public debut of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, completing the California Science Center’s $450 million, 200,000-square-foot expansion.
Endeavour will anchor the new building in a 20-story vertical launch configuration—the world’s only complete shuttle stack with orbiter, solid rocket boosters and a surviving external tank.
The center said the exhibit is designed as an immersive draw, with a J.J. Abrams-produced launch film, retracting walls, glass-floor views from the 20th story and a reentry-style slide.
The display also preserves the shuttle’s wear from 25 missions rather than restoring it cosmetically, underscoring the physical toll of spaceflight while presenting the craft as close to mission-ready as possible.
For Los Angeles, the opening caps a journey that began with Endeavour’s 2012 arrival and advances the Science Center’s long-running goal of inspiring future scientists, engineers and explorers.
With a $450M cost, what is the long-term plan to keep the Endeavour exhibit relevant for the next generation of explorers?
Can a static shuttle display, however grand, inspire more future scientists than interactive experiences like Huntsville's Space Camp?
Why display Endeavour in a 'launch-ready' pose few ever saw, instead of a more accessible layout?
Grand Opening November 2026: Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center Doubles Exhibit Space with World-First Space Shuttle Stack
Overview
The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will open to the public on November 13, 2026, marking a major milestone for the California Science Center. Months of artifact and exhibit installation work are underway to ensure the center is fully prepared for its grand opening. Visitors can look forward to a world-class experience, highlighted by the only complete space shuttle stack displayed in launch position. This unique exhibit offers an unparalleled perspective on space exploration, allowing guests to witness the scale and engineering of a shuttle ready for liftoff. The center promises to inspire and educate all who visit.