UNITED STATES: In an unprecedented feat outside of NASA facilities, the California Science Center is gearing up to reconfigure the iconic space shuttle Endeavour into a vertical display with its rocket boosters and external fuel tank.
After 11 years of horizontal exhibition, the shuttle will be positioned upright, replicating its launch configuration at the upcoming Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. This ambitious undertaking marks a significant milestone for the renowned museum.
Commencing on July 20, the Science Center will embark on a six-month endeavor named “Go for Stack.” The process will kick off with the installation of aft skirts, which will provide the foundation for stacking the solid rocket motors, forming the shuttle’s rocket boosters.
Following this initial step, the massive external fuel tank, referred to as ET-94, will be lifted into a vertical position. The grand finale will involve delicately hoisting the space shuttle Endeavour by means of a large crane, placing it in its new location as a 200-foot-tall vertical display.
Jeff Rudolph, President and CEO of the California Science Center, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center’s main feature, Endeavour, will serve as a springboard for innovation and creativity that will motivate upcoming generations of scientists, engineers, and explorers.”
“We are thankful to be at this stage in the new Air and Space Center’s construction and excited to start ‘Go for Stack’ on July 20 to honour Space Exploration Day,” Rudolph continued.
Due to the extensive reconfiguration process, the space shuttle Endeavour will be temporarily unavailable for public viewing after December 31. The public will eagerly await its grand unveiling at the Samuel Oschin center’s official opening, projected for 2025.
Spanning an impressive 200,000 square feet, the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, situated in Exposition Park, will boom the educational exhibition space of the Science Center. The state-of-the-art facility will encompass three multi-level galleries, each dedicated to air, space, and the shuttle. Additionally, the center will feature an event and exhibit center capable of hosting large-scale rotating exhibitions, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
To support the construction project, Science Center officials continue their fundraising efforts, with approximately $320 million raised to date towards the $400 million goal. The successful completion of this project will secure the California Science Center’s position as a leading hub for space exploration and education.
As the space shuttle Endeavour undergoes its remarkable transformation into a vertical display, anticipation grows for the unveiling of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. The new center promises to ignite the imaginations of visitors, celebrating the past while inspiring the future of scientific discovery and innovation.
For further updates on the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center and the vertical display of the space shuttle Endeavour, click here.
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