The California Science Center will open its Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center to the public on November 13, featuring the Space Shuttle Endeavour displayed in its iconic vertical, launch-ready position. The $450 million, 200,000-square-foot facility will house the Korean Air Aviation Gallery, the Kent Kresa Space Gallery, and prominently, the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery—where Endeavour will be the centerpiece. This exhibition marks the only location in the world to display a complete shuttle stack, including the orbiter, solid rocket boosters, and external fuel tank.

Construction of the sleek, 20-story building, designed by ZGF Architects, was completed in April, culminating a master plan first adopted by the Science Center in 1993. The Endeavour, one of three surviving space shuttles, flew 25 missions between 1992 and 2011. After its final flight, it was transported to Los Angeles International Airport in 2012 atop a modified Boeing 747 before a procession through the city led it to its home at Exposition Park.

Project director Dennis R. Jenkins noted that at the peak of construction, nearly 400 workers were involved daily. A former NASA contractor with three decades of experience on space shuttle programs, Jenkins expressed a deep personal connection to the project. “I walk in there 50 times a day, and 50 times a day it takes my breath away,” he said, especially when the exhibit is fully lit.

The gallery experience begins with a video chronicling Endeavour’s history, produced by J.J. Abrams’ company, Bad Robot. The film leads into a simulated launch, complete with fog effects, before unveiling the full shuttle stack. Visitors will have multiple vantage points, including views into the payload bay, which once carried satellites into orbit, and the shuttle’s massive engines. A glass elevator ascends to the building’s 20th floor, offering a rare bird’s-eye look through a glass floor down onto the shuttle.

The exhibit aims to present Endeavour as close to mission-ready as possible, preserving the orbiter’s original hardware, bolts, and specialized parts—many of which are no longer manufactured since the shuttle program ended in 2011. The external fuel tank (ET-94), a critical component of the stack, was notably difficult to acquire because these tanks were single-use and typically destroyed during reentry. ET-94, originally built for a future mission involving the Columbia shuttle, was repurposed for research after the Columbia accident. NASA ultimately donated the $65 million tank to the Science Center.

Retired astronaut Barbara Morgan, who flew aboard Endeavour in 2007, expressed enthusiasm for the display, saying it will inspire future generations of space enthusiasts. The exhibit also includes ancillary features such as a 15-second slide simulating the shuttle’s atmospheric reentry, designed to immerse visitors in the experience through light, sound, and motion effects.

While the exhibit celebrates Endeavour’s achievements, it also reflects the physical toll of spaceflight. Shuttle tiles in the thermal protection system bear visible damage from the 25 missions, intentionally left unrestored to highlight the vessel’s history. Jeffrey Rudolph of the Science Center acknowledged the significance of presenting the shuttle authentically, emphasizing its role in inspiring children and fostering interest in science, engineering, and exploration for years to come.