Endeavour LA Campaign

Endeavour LA Campaign

The California Science Center is advancing a transformative project to inspire a new generation of scientists, engineers and explorers. EndeavourLA is the California Science Center Foundation’s fundraising campaign to create the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center and support ongoing exhibits, programs and operations.

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May 2024 updated aerial construction photo of SOASC with DTLA skyline and plywood covering top of Endeavour

Our Biggest Endeavour Yet

Construction is underway to build the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, a 200,000 square foot addition to the California Science Center's main building, joining existing exhibits and galleries. Long envisioned as Phase III of the Science Center’s three-decade Master Plan, this major expansion will include a diverse collection of aircraft and spacecraft, immersive experiences and the Science Center’s signature hands-on, educational exhibits that encourage active learning through discovery.

The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will feature three major multi-level galleries—the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery, the Korean Air Aviation Gallery, and the Kent Kresa Space Gallery. As the centerpiece of Phase III, space shuttle Endeavour will be an awe-inspiring sight, towering 200 feet tall in vertical "ready for launch" configuration. The new Air and Space Center will be a fitting permanent home for Endeavour, one of just three remaining flown space shuttle orbiters and the only one of these national treasures on the west coast. It will be the only place in the world to see a complete Space Shuttle System with authentic flight hardware, including Endeavour mated to real solid rocket boosters and external tank.

Construction on the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center began in 2022 and every day brings us closer to completing this one-of-a-kind educational resource for California.

 

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Rendering of future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center
Image attribution
ZGF

The future Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery

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The future Korean Air Aviation Gallery

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The future Kent Kresa Space Gallery

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Exterior rendering of the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center

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Rendering of future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center
Image attribution
ZGF

The future Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery

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The future Korean Air Aviation Gallery

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The future Kent Kresa Space Gallery

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Exterior rendering of the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center

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Endeavour Together

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our major donors and community supporters, as well as significant public funding, nearly $370 million has been raised toward the $425 million total project budget. You can be a part of this historic effort and invest in science learning for everyone with a gift to the EndeavourLA Campaign. Contact us at 213-744-7495 or email the campaign team to discuss your contribution or learn more about ways to support the California Science Center Foundation. 

Key Milestones

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Space Shuttle Endeavour lifting into Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
Image attribution
California Science Center

On January 29, 2024, Endeavour was lifted into the future site of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center to join the previously installed external tank and solid rocket boosters.

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ET-94 was lifted and mated to the SRBs over two nights in the middle of January 2024.

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The forward assemblies were installed in early December 2023, topping off the solid rocket boosters.

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In November 2023, the solid rocket motors were lifted into the construction site and mated to the previously installed aft skirts.

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Go for Stack began on July 20, 2023 with the lift and installation of the rocket aft skirts on to the construction site.

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On June 1, 2022 some 200 guests attended a ceremonial Groundbreaking Celebration to mark the start of construction of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. 

ET-94 Transport Video

In April 2016, ET-94 — the last remaining flight-qualified space shuttle external tank — travelled from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana to the California Science Center for display alongside Endeavour.

Endeavour driving down the streets of Los Angeles, with crowds gathered to watch

In October 2012, Endeavour took three days and three nights to carefully move through the streets of Inglewood and Los Angeles to its final home at the California Science Center.

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Endeavour atop a modified 747 flying over the California Science Center
Image attribution
NASA/Jim Ross

In September 2012, Endeavour toured the length of California atop a modified 747 carrier aircraft before landing at Los Angeles International Airport.

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Lynda Oschin standing in front of large banner banner that says "Future home of Endeavour" while holding a portrait of Samuel Oschin
Image attribution
Leroy Hamilton

In late 2012, a transformative gift from the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation launched the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center project.

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Papers being signed at Endeavour Title Transfer Event
Image attribution
Leroy Hamilton

In October 2012, Endeavour officially became the property of the California Science Center Foundation with a formal title transfer. Endeavour is the only space shuttle not still owned by the US Government.

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Space Shuttle Endeavour on the launch pad, with the American flag and an Endeavour flag in the foreground
Image attribution
NASA/Kim Shiflett

In April 2011, NASA awarded space shuttle Endeavour to the California Science Center for permanent display.

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Space Shuttle Endeavour lifting into Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
Image attribution
California Science Center

On January 29, 2024, Endeavour was lifted into the future site of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center to join the previously installed external tank and solid rocket boosters.

Image

ET-94 was lifted and mated to the SRBs over two nights in the middle of January 2024.

Image

The forward assemblies were installed in early December 2023, topping off the solid rocket boosters.

Image

In November 2023, the solid rocket motors were lifted into the construction site and mated to the previously installed aft skirts.

Image

Go for Stack began on July 20, 2023 with the lift and installation of the rocket aft skirts on to the construction site.

Image

On June 1, 2022 some 200 guests attended a ceremonial Groundbreaking Celebration to mark the start of construction of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. 

ET-94 Transport Video

In April 2016, ET-94 — the last remaining flight-qualified space shuttle external tank — travelled from NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana to the California Science Center for display alongside Endeavour.

Endeavour driving down the streets of Los Angeles, with crowds gathered to watch

In October 2012, Endeavour took three days and three nights to carefully move through the streets of Inglewood and Los Angeles to its final home at the California Science Center.

Image
Endeavour atop a modified 747 flying over the California Science Center
Image attribution
NASA/Jim Ross

In September 2012, Endeavour toured the length of California atop a modified 747 carrier aircraft before landing at Los Angeles International Airport.

Image
Lynda Oschin standing in front of large banner banner that says "Future home of Endeavour" while holding a portrait of Samuel Oschin
Image attribution
Leroy Hamilton

In late 2012, a transformative gift from the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation launched the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center project.

Image
Papers being signed at Endeavour Title Transfer Event
Image attribution
Leroy Hamilton

In October 2012, Endeavour officially became the property of the California Science Center Foundation with a formal title transfer. Endeavour is the only space shuttle not still owned by the US Government.

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Space Shuttle Endeavour on the launch pad, with the American flag and an Endeavour flag in the foreground
Image attribution
NASA/Kim Shiflett

In April 2011, NASA awarded space shuttle Endeavour to the California Science Center for permanent display.

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Team Endeavour

Support the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center by sponsoring one of Endeavour's thermal tiles.

Endeavour in orbit with its payload bay doors open and Earth in the background
Image attribution
NASA

Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center

Learn about Endeavour's future home and so much more!

Architectural rendering of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, as seen from the California Science Center's parking lot
Your Legacy. Their Future.

Planned Giving

Explore ways to support the EndeavourLA Campaign with a planned gift.

Young boy painting solar system model
Image attribution
Nathan Alexander