Space Shuttle Endeavour to have permanent exhibit at California Science Center

Announcement of Permanent Display

The California Science Center has confirmed that the Space Shuttle Endeavour will be on permanent display at the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center starting November 13, 2026. This expansion will include 200,000 square feet dedicated to aerospace exhibits.

Endeavour has been displayed at the California Science Center since 2012, but this new exhibit will feature the shuttle in a vertical launch position, enhancing visitor experience.

Enhanced Visitor Experience

The new display will include additional artifacts, totaling around 100 historical aerospace objects. It aims to educate the public about Endeavour's contributions to space exploration and technology.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to ascend a 140-foot gantry elevator next to the shuttle, simulating the experience astronauts undergo before launch.

Historical Significance of Endeavour

NASA created the Space Shuttle Endeavour as a response to the Challenger disaster in 1986, and it played a critical role in various missions, including repairs and deployments related to the Hubble Space Telescope.

Endeavour was officially retired in 2011 and has been on display in Los Angeles since making its journey from the airport to the science center in 2012.