The California Science Center will soon become the only place in the world to see an authentic space shuttle displayed in launch configuration. (photo courtesy of the California Science Center)

The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will soon achieve liftoff at the California Science Center, a new permanent home for Space Shuttle Endeavour in Los Angeles. With an opening date of Nov. 13, the 200,000-square-foot expansion will be the only place in the world to see an authentic space shuttle displayed in an awe-inspiring launch configuration. 

In addition to the Endeavour centerpiece, the expansion will nearly double the Science Center’s exhibit space, with 100 artifacts including rare and historic aerospace objects and 100 interactive exhibits to inspire and educate visitors. Attractions in the new wing include a T-4 fighter jet in the Korean Air Aviation Gallery and a Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle alongside a Solid Rocket Booster in the Kent Kresa Space Gallery. 

The Science Center’s president and CEO Jeffrey Rudolph hopes the $450 million project inspires young people who are just beginning to gaze up at the cosmos and wonder what lies beyond our home planet. 

“People have dreamt about flight through space and through the atmosphere forever,” Rudolph said. “It’s one of those human endeavors that really excites people. That’s one of the reasons we chose air and space … because we saw its potential to motivate and inspire.” 

Rudolph announced the November opening earlier this year in an inconspicuous conference room within the Science Center. Following Rudolph’s announcement, the wall behind him suddenly parted to reveal the massive spacecraft – the last ever built for NASA’s Space Shuttle program – positioned upright in a nearly 200-foot-tall gallery space. 

Breathtaking would be an understatement, and photos simply don’t do it justice. The only way to accurately capture the sense of wonder that comes with the massive Space Shuttle is to see it in person. 

“With the stunning display of Endeavour in launch configuration, the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will give us a greater platform than ever to accomplish our mission to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone,” Rudolph said. “It is the fulfillment of a decades-long dream and will stand as an enduring source of inspiration for generations of scientists, engineers and explorers.” 

Lynda Oschin, chairperson of the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation – whose contribution made the expansion possible – said the exhibition will serve as an inspiration to generations of visitors from across Los Angeles and the world. 

“When I first saw schoolchildren react with such enthusiasm to Endeavour’s astronauts, I recognized the extraordinary potential to inspire curiosity, encourage lifelong learning and open new worlds of possibility for young people … it is incredibly exciting to see the vision becoming a reality,” Oschin said. “It is a wonderful tribute to my late husband, Samuel Oschin, and a lasting gift that will encourage learning and discovery for generations to come.” 

In addition to Endeavour, the expansion will nearly double the Science Center’s exhibit space. (photo by Mike Kelley)

The expansion was designed by ZGF Architects with a unique curvilinear stainless-steel exterior, inspired by the aerodynamic geometry of the space shuttle. Its modern design is reminiscent of another L.A. landmark – Frank Gehry’s iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall. 

L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, 2nd District, celebrated the new center as a milestone achievement for Los Angeles and the state, referencing the initial journey Endeavour made to Los Angeles in 2012. 

“When a real-life space shuttle traveled down our very own streets all those years ago, we were inspired to learn and discover ourselves,” Mitchell said. “The new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center aims to channel that inspiration into learning what’s possible through more scientific discovery. It aims to show young Angelenos that major achievements like the Endeavour’s journey into space are preceded by challenges and setbacks. It hopes to encourage visitors to ask big questions, embrace trial and error, and learn from our failures.” 

Mitchell also encouraged Angelenos to ride Metro to the new Air and Space Center when it opens in November, as Exposition Park is served by its own E Line station. 

The $450 million project was made possible through a public-private partnership that included philanthropy and a significant investment from the state of California. Gov. Gavin Newsom celebrated the expansion in a statement. 

“California has always been a place of discovery – from the early pioneers of flight to the engineers, astronauts, scientists and innovators who helped shape the space age and who are powering the next era of exploration today. The new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center reflects our state’s enduring commitment to science, education and innovation, and it will inspire learners of all ages for generations to come,” Newsom said. “On behalf of the people of California, I thank all of those who worked so hard to make this world-class Air and Space Center a reality, including the philanthropic partners whose support helped bring this extraordinary vision to completion.” 

The project is part of the latest phase of the Science Center’s ambitious master plan, adopted in 1993 – just a year after Endeavour embarked on its first mission. The now-complete construction, which began in 2022, coincides with several other major developments in Exposition Park. In fall 2024, the adjacent Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County unveiled NHM Commons, a community-focused wing to expand access to the museum. The highly anticipated Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, just across the park’s South Lawn, opened in September. Exposition Park will also receive approximately $100 million in state and federal funding ahead of the 2028 Olympics, when the world’s greatest athletes descend on the park’s iconic L.A. Memorial Coliseum and BMO Stadium. 

In addition to the Exposition Park institutions, many other Southland museums are currently undergoing transformations and expansions ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games. LACMA’s new David Geffen Galleries opened on Wilshire Boulevard in May, and the La Brea Tar Pits recently closed to facilitate a modernization project before the Summer Games. 

“It’s a really exciting time for L.A.’s museums,” Rudolph said, highlighting LACMA, the Lucas Museum and the Science Center. “When we opened the first phase of the Science Center in 1998, it actually coincided with the opening of the Getty Center and the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. So similarly, three major institutions opened at the same time, and it really helped elevate L.A.’s stature as a museum community, which has only grown since. We have an incredible set of museums in L.A.” 

The California Science Center is located at 700 Exposition Park Drive.  

For information, visit californiasciencecenter.org. 

The project is part of the latest phase of the Science Center’s ambitious master plan, adopted in 1993. (photo by Mike Kelley)