Endeavour Space Shuttle to Debut at California Science Center in November

WHO:

NBC Los Angeles - Project director Dennis Jenkins stated, "This is a view that nobody, really has ever gotten."

NBC Los Angeles - Dennis Jenkins has over 30 years of experience with shuttle displays around the country.

NBC Los Angeles - Jeffrey N. Rudolph, president and CEO of the California Science Center

NBC Los Angeles - Dennis Jenkins, project director

WHAT:

NBC Los Angeles - The exhibit will feature the flown orbiter Endeavour attached to a pair of real solid rocket boosters and ET-94, the last remaining flight-qualified external tank.

NBC Los Angeles - The shuttle stack stands nearly 200 feet tall, allowing visitors to walk beneath the orbiter's main engines, view its open payload bay, and ascend to elevated viewing platforms overlooking the spacecraft.

NBC Los Angeles - The 200,000-square-foot addition nearly doubles the Science Center's exhibit space and will house more than 100 aerospace artifacts and hands-on exhibits focused on aviation and space exploration.

NBC Los Angeles - The exhibit includes an introductory film discussing the shuttle and the people that worked on it, culminating with Endeavour's last launch.

NBC Los Angeles - The shuttle stack allows visitors to walk beneath the orbiter's main engines and view its open payload bay.

NBC Los Angeles - The exhibit will be the only place in the world where visitors can view a complete, authentic space shuttle system in launch position.

NBC Los Angeles - The 200,000-square-foot addition to the Science Center will nearly double the exhibit space and will house more than 100 aerospace artifacts and hands-on exhibits focused on aviation and space exploration.

NBC Los Angeles - The Endeavour Space Shuttle exhibit will open on November 13.

NBC Los Angeles - The exhibit will feature the flown orbiter Endeavour attached to a pair of real solid rocket boosters and ET-94, the last remaining flight-qualified external tank.

NBC Los Angeles - The shuttle stack stands nearly 200 feet tall.

Ars Technica - The exhibit is described as an "incredible exhibit and incredible sight."

WHERE:

NBC Los Angeles - The exhibit will be located at the California Science Center in Exposition Park.

NBC Los Angeles - The display will be housed in the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.

WHEN:

Space.com - The spectacular new Air & Space Center, which is more than three decades in the making, will open on Nov. 13.

Space.com - The spectacular new Air & Space Center will open on Nov. 13.

NBC Los Angeles - The exhibit will open on November 13.

NBC Los Angeles - Construction of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center was completed in April 2026.

NBC Los Angeles - Groundbreaking on the project occurred in June 2022.

NBC Los Angeles - Endeavour was lifted into its permanent vertical configuration in 2024.

WHY:

NBC Los Angeles - The exhibit aims to provide a unique view of a complete, authentic space shuttle system in launch position.

HOW:

NBC Los Angeles - The shuttle was lifted into its permanent vertical configuration in 2024 following a six-month assembly process known as "Go for Stack."

NBC Los Angeles - The shuttle stack allows visitors to walk beneath the orbiter's main engines, view its open payload bay, and ascend to elevated viewing platforms overlooking the spacecraft.

NBC Los Angeles - The exhibit includes an introductory film discussing the shuttle and its missions, culminating with Endeavour's last launch.

NBC Los Angeles - Timed visits are being planned to manage the expected large influx of visitors.

(UPDATED June 25, 2026 19:39 UTC)

A new Air & Space Center is set to open on November 13, showcasing the flown orbiter Endeavour alongside real solid rocket boosters and the last remaining flight-qualified external tank. Standing nearly 200 feet tall, the shuttle stack will allow visitors to walk beneath the orbiter's main engines and explore its open payload bay, with elevated viewing platforms offering stunning perspectives of the spacecraft. This impressive 200,000-square-foot addition nearly doubles the Science Center's exhibit space and will feature over 100 aerospace artifacts and interactive exhibits dedicated to aviation and space exploration.

(UPDATED June 25, 2026 17:43 UTC)

A spectacular new Air & Space Center is set to open on November 13, showcasing a unique exhibit that allows visitors to walk beneath the orbiter's main engines and view its open payload bay. Project director Dennis Jenkins, who has over 30 years of experience with shuttle displays across the country, emphasized that this is a view that nobody has really ever gotten before. The exhibit will also feature an introductory film discussing the shuttle and the people who worked on it, culminating with Endeavour's last launch.

(UPDATED June 25, 2026 10:03 UTC)

A new exhibit at the Science Center will be the only place in the world where visitors can see a complete, authentic space shuttle system in launch position. This impressive 200,000-square-foot addition will nearly double the exhibit space and feature more than 100 aerospace artifacts along with hands-on exhibits dedicated to aviation and space exploration. Guests will have the unique opportunity to walk beneath the orbiter's main engines, explore its open payload bay, and ascend to elevated viewing platforms for a closer look at the spacecraft.

(UPDATED June 25, 2026 08:09 UTC)

The California Science Center in Exposition Park is set to unveil the Endeavour Space Shuttle exhibit on November 13, showcasing the flown orbiter Endeavour alongside real solid rocket boosters and the last remaining flight-qualified external tank, ET-94. Standing nearly 200 feet tall, this incredible display aims to provide a unique view of a complete, authentic space shuttle system in launch position, with an introductory film detailing Endeavour's missions, including its last launch. To accommodate the anticipated large influx of visitors, timed visits are being planned for the exhibit, which will be housed in the newly completed Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.