Engineers Unveil Stunning Space Shuttle Exhibit at Science Center

WHO:

Fast Company - Jeff Rudolph, president and CEO of the California Science Center (CSC).

Fast Company - Dennis R. Jenkins, project director at Oschin Air and Space Center.

WHAT:

Fast Company - The California Science Center unveiled the space shuttle Endeavour in a vertical position, mated to solid rocket boosters and an external fuel tank.

Fast Company - Endeavour flew its maiden mission in May 1992 and completed 25 missions, spending nearly 299 days in space and traveling over 122,883 million miles.

Fast Company - Endeavour's final flight, STS-134, launched in May 2011 and delivered the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the ISS.

Fast Company - The exhibit will open to the public on November 13, 2026, with free admission and a timed-entry reservation system.

WHERE:

Fast Company - The exhibit is located at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, California.

Fast Company - Endeavour was transported to the CSC from Florida in September 2012, making a historic flyover of California before landing at Los Angeles International Airport.

WHEN:

Fast Company - Endeavour's final flight occurred in May 2011.

Fast Company - The assembly of Endeavour to its display configuration was completed on January 30, 2024.

Fast Company - The exhibit will open on November 13, 2026.

WHY:

Fast Company - The exhibit aims to showcase the space shuttle Endeavour in a historically accurate launch configuration, celebrating its legacy and achievements.

HOW:

Fast Company - The assembly process involved a six-month mating process called “Go for Stack,” raising Endeavour to a height of 185 feet (56 meters) and joining it to ET-94, the last remaining flight-qualified external tank.

Fast Company - The assembly required overcoming challenges related to seismic engineering and aligning the solid rocket booster aft skirts with precision.

Fast Company - The final assembly involved a "soft mate" and "hard mate" process, ensuring that Endeavour was locked into place with all flight-hardware bolts torqued to specifications.

(UPDATED June 30, 2026 11:53 UTC)

The California Science Center in Los Angeles has unveiled the space shuttle Endeavour in a vertical position, now mated to solid rocket boosters and an external fuel tank, marking a significant moment in its legacy. Endeavour, which completed 25 missions and spent nearly 299 days in space, will be showcased in this historically accurate launch configuration when the exhibit opens to the public on November 13, 2026, with free admission and a timed-entry reservation system. The assembly process, which involved overcoming various engineering challenges, took six months and culminated in a precise mating of Endeavour with the last remaining flight-qualified external tank, ensuring it is securely locked into place.