A New Landmark Rises Over Los Angeles

The California Science Center's newest landmark has reached a major milestone. The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, designed by ZGF Architects, completed construction on April 13, 2026. The 200,000-square-foot addition to the historic Exposition Park campus will nearly double the center's educational exhibit space.

At the heart of the facility is the retired NASA Space Shuttle Endeavour, which flew missions from 1992 through its final flight in 2011. Encased in a 2,000-ton tower structure, Endeavour now stands in full vertical launch configuration—making this the only place in the world where the public can view a space shuttle as it would appear on the launch pad.

Aerospace Aesthetics in Architecture

The building's curvilinear stainless-steel exterior, reaching 200 feet at its peak, draws inspiration from the aerodynamic geometry of NASA spacecraft. Cantilevering metal tiers frame the entry plaza below, while the interior offers unobstructed views of Endeavour and more than 100 aerospace artifacts. Three multi-level galleries—the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery, the Korean Air Aviation Gallery, and the Kent Kresa Space Gallery—are designed to engage visitors of all ages with the science and engineering of flight and space exploration.

Four Years, 1,500 Workers

Breaking ground in June 2022, the project drew approximately 1,500 workers across multiple trades. A key milestone came in early 2024, when Endeavour was mated with real solid rocket boosters and ET-94—the last flight-qualified external tank—and raised to its full-stack vertical configuration.

"We challenged ourselves to achieve something never done before," said Ted Hyman of ZGF Architects. "We are proud to deliver an iconic architecture that translates the California Science Center's moonshot ambition into an experience that feels welcoming and engaging to all."

Construction Done, Opening Pending

While construction is complete, an opening date has not been announced. Installation of historic artifacts and interactive exhibits is currently underway and is expected to continue for several months before the center welcomes its first visitors.