Endeavour is off display for several years, until the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opens to the public. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates and support the project.
On January 30, 2024 the California Science Center completed Go for Stack, the complex process of moving and lifting each of the space shuttle components into place for Endeavour’s upcoming awe-inspiring 20-story vertical display. This technically challenging feat had never been done outside of a NASA facility.
The California Science Center is lifting and installing Space Shuttle Endeavour as the culmination of Go for Stack—the complex, six-month-long, multi-phase process of stacking each of the space shuttle components in vertical configuration.
The roughly six-month long process started with the installation of the aft skirts which attach the entire space shuttle stack to seismic isolators beneath the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center building.
On top of the aft skirts the solid rocket motors were stacked to form the tall, white solid rocket boosters (SRBs).
Forward assemblies were placed on top of the solid rocket motors to complete the tall, white solid rocket boosters (SRBs).
The orange external tank, ET-94, was lifted and attached to the SRBs.
Finally, space shuttle orbiter Endeavour was moved and lifted into place by a large crane, and the orbiter was mated with the rest of the space shuttle stack. Endeavour is in ready-to-launch configuration.
The roughly six-month long process started with the installation of the aft skirts which attach the entire space shuttle stack to seismic isolators beneath the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center building.
On top of the aft skirts the solid rocket motors were stacked to form the tall, white solid rocket boosters (SRBs).
Forward assemblies were placed on top of the solid rocket motors to complete the tall, white solid rocket boosters (SRBs).
The orange external tank, ET-94, was lifted and attached to the SRBs.
Finally, space shuttle orbiter Endeavour was moved and lifted into place by a large crane, and the orbiter was mated with the rest of the space shuttle stack. Endeavour is in ready-to-launch configuration.
This will be the world’s only authentic space shuttle system; complete with the orbiter Endeavour, solid rocket boosters, and external tank. Learn more about the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center and how you can support this exciting vision for the future by contributing to the EndeavourLA Campaign.
Solid rocket booster aft skirt being lowered onto the seismic isolator pad.
Solid rocket booster aft skirts in position on the seismic isolator pad.
Solid rocket motors on trucks moving to the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center site.
Two large solid rocket motors sit in front of the California Science Center waiting for their turn to move to the Samuel Oschin air and Space Center and attach to the aft skirts.
The second solid rocket motor being lifted by crane into the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center construction site.
Both tall white solid rocket motors sitting in the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center construction site in the future Shuttle Gallery.
Watch the California Science Center's Solid Rocket Motor Installation
The external tank, ET-94, prepares for its lift into the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
ET-94 lifting into the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center construction site.
Aerial view of Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center after ET-94's lifting and mating to the SRBs.
Watch the full ET-94 lift and installation.
Space Shuttle Endeavour moving in preparation for lifting into the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
Space Shuttle Endeavour with a view of its external tank and solid rocket booster in the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
The 122-foot-long Space Shuttle Endeavour lifting into Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
Space Shuttle Endeavour being lifted into Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
Space Shuttle Endeavour being lowered into Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
Solid rocket booster aft skirt being lowered onto the seismic isolator pad.
Solid rocket booster aft skirts in position on the seismic isolator pad.
Solid rocket motors on trucks moving to the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center site.
Two large solid rocket motors sit in front of the California Science Center waiting for their turn to move to the Samuel Oschin air and Space Center and attach to the aft skirts.
The second solid rocket motor being lifted by crane into the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center construction site.
Both tall white solid rocket motors sitting in the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center construction site in the future Shuttle Gallery.
Watch the California Science Center's Solid Rocket Motor Installation
The external tank, ET-94, prepares for its lift into the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
ET-94 lifting into the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center construction site.
Aerial view of Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center after ET-94's lifting and mating to the SRBs.
Watch the full ET-94 lift and installation.
Space Shuttle Endeavour moving in preparation for lifting into the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
Space Shuttle Endeavour with a view of its external tank and solid rocket booster in the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
The 122-foot-long Space Shuttle Endeavour lifting into Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
Space Shuttle Endeavour being lifted into Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
Space Shuttle Endeavour being lowered into Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
“Go for Stack” is the complex process of moving and lifting each of the space shuttle components into place for Endeavour’s upcoming, awe-inspiring 20-story vertical display in the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, which is currently under construction. This technically challenging feat has never been done outside of a NASA facility.
Endeavour went off view from exhibit on December 31, 2023 and will remain so until the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opens to the public. While Endeavour is off exhibit, guests can visit the Work in Progress gallery to explore select new exhibits and space artifacts, view construction progress through time-lapse imagery, and learn more about the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. As one of the largest science centers in the nation, we have multiple other galleries, special exhibitions, and IMAX movies for our guests to experience.
We are on track to complete construction on the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center building in mid-2025. Following artifact and exhibit installation, the Air and Space Center will be ready to open and welcome guests in a few years. We look forward to announcing the official opening date well in advance of the public opening.
Scaffolding covered in plywood and kevlar fabric has been erected around the full shuttle stack for protection from the elements and construction.
The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will nearly double the California Science Center’s educational exhibit areas with an impressive artifact collection of aircraft and spacecraft, integrated with hands-on exhibits to encourage guests of all ages to investigate scientific and engineering principles of atmospheric flight and the exploration of the universe. It will also provide a fitting permanent home for Endeavour, one of only three remaining flown space shuttle orbiters and the only one of these national treasures on the west coast. Endeavour’s awe-inspiring ‘ready-to-launch’ 20-story vertical configuration, complete with solid rocket boosters and external tank, will be the world’s only display of an authentic space shuttle system.
This will be the only complete stack of authentic space shuttle flight hardware in existence, making the Endeavour exhibit even more significant than before. In addition to allowing the public unprecedented, unique vantage points, this configuration retains a complete flight stack for engineers and historians to examine in the future. NASA and aerospace companies frequently visit museums to look at hardware from previous programs in order to design for the future projects.
The California Science Center believes science education is critical for everyone and values accessibility and inclusiveness. We do not currently charge general admission, and we will not charge admission for the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is the third phase of the California Science Center’s three-phase, three-decade Master Plan and the most ambitious expansion project yet. The new Air and Space Center will be a launchpad for creativity and innovation to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers.
The California Science Center Foundation is actively fundraising to complete the ambitious Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center project with nearly $370 million raised toward the $425 million total project budget. Everyone can help realize this exciting vision and donations at any level are welcomed. To contribute or learn more, go to EndeavourLA.org.
Help us fulfill our vision for the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, the home of space shuttle Endeavour.
