Endeavour Exhibit Will Open to Public in Los Angeles

The California Science Center will debut its permanent space shuttle housing on November 13.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Space

Endeavour Exhibit Will Open to Public in Los Angeles

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Reservations for the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will open to the general public on October 21 at 9:30 a.m. The facility serves as the permanent home for the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

Why it matters

The $450 million expansion provides a permanent display for the shuttle, which completed 25 missions between 1992 and 2011. It anchors the space education infrastructure in Los Angeles.

The new 20-story building houses the Space Shuttle Endeavour in a vertical orientation alongside solid rocket boosters and an external tank. This expansion adds 200,000 square feet of space and three multilevel galleries to the existing California Science Center.

The players

California Science Center

A public museum in Los Angeles' Exposition Park that functions as the site of the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.

Space Shuttle Endeavour

A retired NASA orbiter that completed 25 space missions and will be permanently displayed at the museum.

The details

The facility presents the shuttle in its flight-ready configuration, standing 20 stories tall to accommodate the boosters and tank. The 200,000-square-foot expansion incorporates three multilevel galleries featuring over 100 artifacts and hands-on exhibits designed to illustrate aerospace engineering. The construction project concluded in April, following a $450 million investment to finalize the museum's master plan.

1992-2011: Endeavour completed 25 space missions.
April 2026: Construction of the shuttle center completed.
Oct. 19, 2026: Members receive early access to reservations.
Oct. 21, 2026: General public reservations open.
Nov. 13, 2026: Public opening of the Air and Space Center.

The Tech Race

The facility marks the completion of the California Science Center master plan, which integrates the retired Endeavour orbiter into the regional science education landscape. It follows a multi-year effort to secure and display a flight-certified shuttle in a vertical configuration.

General admission to the California Science Center remains free, though reservations for the new gallery will be required. Residents can secure entry online or by phone starting October 21.

The takeaway

The opening of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center represents the final phase of the museum's expansion. Visitors should monitor the museum website for potential capacity updates leading up to the November 13 opening.