Space Shuttle Endeavour towers nearly 200 feet in jaw-dropping new LA exhibit

California’s newest attraction is ready for liftoff — with a towering space shuttle set to bring an out-of-this-world experience to Los Angeles.

The California Science Center unveiled its massive new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center Wednesday ahead of its Nov. 13 public opening, giving the retired space shuttle Endeavour a dramatic new home in a 20-story launch configuration.

“The opening of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is the fulfillment of a decades-long dream to create one of the world’s leading science centers,” said Jeffrey Rudolph, President and CEO of the California Science Center.

The 200,000-square-foot addition nearly doubles the Science Center’s exhibition space and adds 100 aerospace artifacts and 100 hands-on exhibits focused on science and engineering.

The centerpiece is Endeavour, the fifth and final orbiter to join NASA’s space shuttle fleet. Built to replace the Challenger after the 1986 disaster, the shuttle first launched on May 7, 1992, and completed 25 successful missions before its retirement.

Now, the historic spacecraft is displayed vertically alongside authentic solid rocket boosters and an external fuel tank, creating what the Science Center says is the only complete, authentic space shuttle system on public display anywhere in the world.

“This unparalleled educational experience will stand as an enduring source of inspiration for generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers,” Rudolph said.

Visitors can ride a 140-foot elevator up the launch structure to a glass-floor observation platform above the orbiter, try a shuttle landing simulator and explore a replica flight deck. A 45-foot slide designed to evoke the shuttle’s fiery return through Earth’s atmosphere offers another hands-on experience.

The project’s namesake, Samuel Oschin, was a longtime philanthropist who died in 2003. His widow, Lynda Oschin, chairs the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation, one of the project’s lead donors.

“Endeavour exemplifies so many of the passions of my husband — especially astronomy, math, science, exploration, and helping children to achieve their dreams,” she said.

The Nov. 13 opening celebration will include about 30 astronauts, including all six crew members from Endeavour’s final mission, STS-134, commanded by Sen. Mark Kelly.

General admission to the California Science Center is free, but timed reservations are strongly encouraged for the new attraction. Online reservations carry a $4 service fee, and demand is expected to be high.

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