The California Science Center provided a first look at the Space Shuttle Endeavour in its new “ready-to-launch” vertical display on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Housed within the upcoming Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center in Los Angeles, the 20-story-high exhibit marks the first time a space shuttle has been displayed anywhere in a full vertical launch configuration, complete with solid rocket boosters and a liquid fuel tank.
What to expect at the new facility
Visitors to the center will begin their experience in a small room featuring a five-minute film about the NASA shuttle program. According to museum curator Perry Roth-Johnson, the presentation concludes with a sequence simulating launch fog and water vapor, followed by a dramatic reveal as wide doors open to expose the Endeavour in its vertical position. The facility offers multiple viewing angles, including a glass elevator that allows guests to observe the shuttle from the engines at the bottom to the payload deck at the top.
Did You Know? The Endeavour orbiter, which completed 25 missions and traveled approximately 223 million miles, was named after the ship captained by James Cook in 1768.
Project scope and construction challenges
The display is the centerpiece of a 200,000-square-foot expansion that nearly doubles the size of the existing museum. Project officials, led by President and CEO Jeffrey Rudolph, note that the effort to stack the spacecraft was the most significant challenge of the $450 million project. The assembly required specialized cranes to raise the orbiter in 2023, with the dome-shaped steel roof constructed around the spacecraft only after the fuel tank and boosters were secured in place.
Expert Insight: The decision to display the shuttle in a vertical “ready-to-launch” configuration represents a shift from traditional museum preservation. While most retired spacecraft are exhibited horizontally, this installation forces a perspective shift that highlights the engineering requirements of the shuttle program, specifically the massive scale of the fuel tank and boosters required to reach orbit.
What happens next
While the preview signaled the end of major construction, the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is not scheduled to open to the public until November 13, 2026. Officials expect to offer advance tickets in the fall, with priority access granted to museum members. Following the opening, the museum plans to feature approximately 100 additional historic artifacts, including the 1902 Wright Glider and a life-sized model of the Viking 1 Mars lander.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the new space wing free to enter?
Yes, the California Science Center and most of its exhibits are free to enter, though certain activities and parking require payment.
When will the public be able to see the Endeavour?
The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is currently scheduled to open on November 13, 2026, with potential soft openings expected before that date.
What is the total cost of the project?
The entire project is estimated to cost $450 million, with $410 million in funding already raised.
Are you planning to visit the new center when it opens to the public this November?
