California Science Center

California Science Center Reaches Major Milestone and Completes Solid Rocket Boosters as Part of Ambitious Go for Stack Configuration

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, December 6, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Science Center reached a major milestone toward its future display of Space Shuttle Endeavour in ready-to-launch configuration with the completed installation of the massive display's two Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs). With the Forward Assemblies installed this week to top off the SRBs, the finished Boosters are the latest achievement in the Science Center's ambitious Go for Stack operation — the unprecedented, multi-phase process of constructing the world's only complete, authentic space shuttle system display. Each SRB is made up of three main components: An Aft Skirt, which forms the base of the 149-foot-tall SRB; the Solid Rocket Motor, which makes up the largest part of the SRB; and the Forward Assembly, the cone-shaped top of the SRB.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Dec. 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Science Center reached a major milestone toward its future display of Space Shuttle Endeavour in ready-to-launch configuration with the completed installation of the massive display's two Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs).
  • When fully installed, California Science Center's space shuttle stack will tower 200-feet tall and include the orbiter Endeavour, the two Solid Rocket Boosters, and ET-94, the last remaining flight-qualified External Tank.
  • The exhibit will be the star attraction in the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, a major expansion to the Science Center, which will be completed around the full shuttle stack.
  • The roughly six-month Go for Stack process began in July with the installation of the Solid Rocket Booster Aft Skirts.

California Science Center Completes Installation of Two Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Motors for Upcoming Go for Stack Configuration

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 9, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, two 116-foot long Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs), each weighing over 100,000 lbs., were securely lifted by crane and stacked in their final vertical position at the California Science Center. The placement is the latest achievement in Go for Stack, the complex, multi-phase process of moving and lifting each of the components into place for the world's only authentic, "ready-to-launch" space shuttle system.

Key Points: 
  • The California Science Center team then mated the SRMs to the previously installed Aft Skirts using 177 2-inch long pins for each motor.
  • The SRMs arrived less than a month ago, after a journey from the Mojave Air and Space Port, and were the final elements of the space shuttle system to arrive at the California Science Center.
  • The space shuttle stack will include the orbiter Endeavour, two Solid Rocket Boosters, and an External Tank.
  • The roughly six-month Go for Stack process began in July with the installation of the Solid Rocket Booster Aft Skirts.

$25 Million Gift from Aerospace Leader Kent Kresa Fuels California Science Center Foundation's EndeavourLA Campaign, Names New Space Gallery of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 24, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Science Center's Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center project has received another major boost with a $25 million gift from aerospace leader Kent Kresa and the Kresa Family Foundation.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Science Center's Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center project has received another major boost with a $25 million gift from aerospace leader Kent Kresa and the Kresa Family Foundation.
  • In recognition of this significant investment in science education, the Science Center will name the Kent Kresa Space Gallery, one of three galleries to be part of its 200,000 square-foot expansion, currently under construction.
  • The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is the last major expansion envisioned in the Science Center's three-decade Master Plan vision.
  • Three major galleries – Shuttle Gallery, Space Gallery, and Aviation Gallery – will integrate a diverse collection of aircraft and spacecraft with immersive experiences and the California Science Center's signature hands-on exhibits.

New IMAX® Original Documentary "Deep Sky" to make its Los Angeles Debut Exclusively at the California Science Center on October 20, 2023

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 17, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Audiences will embark on a journey to the beginning of time and space, to never-before-seen cosmic landscapes, and to recently discovered exoplanets, when "Deep Sky" makes its  Los Angeles premiere at the California Science Center on October 20, 2023. The newest IMAX® original documentary, "Deep Sky" will bring the awe-inspiring images captured by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to the giant screen.  

Key Points: 
  • The newest IMAX® original documentary, "Deep Sky" will bring the awe-inspiring images captured by NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to the giant screen.
  • This film attempts to answer questions that have haunted us since the beginning of time: Where did we come from?
  • For tickets at the California Science Center, guests can view the movie schedule and make their purchases online at californiasciencecenter.org/imax or call 213.744.2019.
  • Special discounts are available for Members of the Science Center and groups of 15 people or more.

California Science Center to Continue the Next Phase of Go for Stack with the Arrival of the Solid Rocket Motors on October 11, 2023

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 5, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 5, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 11, 2023, exactly eleven years after Space Shuttle Endeavour made its 12-mile journey across the streets of Los Angeles and Inglewood, the California Science Center invites the public to come out and watch the arrival of two large Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs), the next phase of Go for Stack – the complex, multi-phase process of moving and lifting each of the space shuttle components into place for Endeavour's upcoming awe-inspiring 20-story vertical display. The SRMs, donated by Northrop Grumman, have been stored at the Mojave Air and Space Port, and are the final elements of the space shuttle system to arrive at the California Science Center. The components that will make up the world's only authentic, "ready-to-launch" space shuttle stack include the orbiter Endeavour, two Solid Rocket Boosters, and External Tank.

Key Points: 
  • The components that will make up the world's only authentic, "ready-to-launch" space shuttle stack include the orbiter Endeavour, two Solid Rocket Boosters, and External Tank.
  • The SRMs will be transported by freeway until the last leg of their journey to the California Science Center.
  • The California Science Center will open an hour early at 9:00 a.m. on October 11th as part of a Solid Rocket Motor Arrival Celebration.
  • Next the Solid Rocket Motors and forward assemblies will be stacked to form the Solid Rocket Boosters.

California Science Center Foundation Receives $25 Million Gift from Korean Air to Name New Aviation Gallery of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 20, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Science Center Foundation today announced an extraordinary gift of $25 million from five-star airline, Korean Air, to name the Aviation Gallery – one of three major educational exhibit galleries comprising the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, currently under construction.

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Science Center Foundation today announced an extraordinary gift of $25 million from five-star airline, Korean Air, to name the Aviation Gallery – one of three major educational exhibit galleries comprising the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, currently under construction.
  • Korean Air's generous commitment is the single largest corporate contribution to the California Science Center.
  • "Korean Air's $25 million gift commitment is unparalleled among our corporate funders, and we are honored that the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will bear the Korean Air Aviation Gallery name in recognition of this meaningful investment in the California Science Center's educational mission to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone."
  • This gift substantially advances the California Science Center Foundation's EndeavourLA Campaign, with progress to date totaling nearly $350 million toward its $400 million goal in support of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center project.

California Science Center Completes the First Milestone in Lifting Space Shuttle Endeavour into Vertical Launch Position

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 20, 2023

LOS ANGELES, July 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, on Space Exploration Day, the California Science Center began Go for Stack, the complex process of moving and lifting each space shuttle component into place for Endeavour's upcoming, awe-inspiring, 20-story vertical display. The installation of two Aft Skirts was the first step in the six-month process of creating the world's only authentic, "ready-to-launch" space shuttle stack in the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, complete with the Orbiter Endeavour, Solid Rocket Boosters, and External Tank.

Key Points: 
  • They flew on a combined 15 space shuttle missions dating back to STS-3, the third mission, in 1982.
  • This momentous feat moves us one giant step closer to completing the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center: a major expansion of the California Science Center.
  • Go for Stack will conclude with Endeavour's lift into the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center and mating with the rest of the space shuttle stack.
  • With an impressive artifact collection integrated with hands-on exhibits, the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will double the Science Center's educational exhibit space.

California Science Center to Begin Go for Stack on July 20, 2023

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 6, 2023

LOS ANGELES, July 6, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Space Exploration Day - the California Science Center will commence Go for Stack, the complex process of moving and lifting each of the space shuttle components into place for Endeavour's upcoming, awe-inspiring 20-story vertical display in the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, currently under construction. This technically challenging feat has never been done outside of a NASA facility. The installation of the two aft skirts, the base of the solid rocket boosters, will mark the first Go for Stack milestone and lay the foundation upon which the entire shuttle stack will be built. This is the first step in creating the world's only display of an authentic, 'ready-to-launch' space shuttle system; complete with the orbiter Endeavour, solid rocket boosters, and external tank.

Key Points: 
  • After more than eleven years on display at the California Science Center, December 31, 2023 will be the last chance to see Endeavour on exhibit for several years until the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opens to the public.
  • While Endeavour is off exhibit, the California Science Center remains one of the largest science centers in the nation, with multiple hands-on exhibit galleries, special exhibitions, and IMAX movies for guests to experience.
  • The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is the third phase of the California Science Center's three-phase, three-decade master plan to develop one of the world's leading science learning centers.
  • The California Science Center Foundation is actively fundraising to complete this ambitious project with $320 million raised toward the $400 million EndeavourLA Campaign goal.

Blue Whales 3D: Return of the Giants Will Make its World Premiere at The California Science Center IMAX Theater on May 25th, 2023

Retrieved on: 
Monday, May 15, 2023

Blue Whales 3D plunges viewers into the mysterious world of these magnificent mammals, who are now making a triumphant return from the brink of extinction.

Key Points: 
  • Blue Whales 3D plunges viewers into the mysterious world of these magnificent mammals, who are now making a triumphant return from the brink of extinction.
  • "We are so thrilled to be bringing BLUE WHALES 3D to audiences," says Hugh Pearson, Director and Producer, Oceanic Films.
  • It was produced in partnership with HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, Oceanic Films, the California Science Center, and the National Science Foundation.
  • To watch the trailer, explore interactive materials, or to learn more about Blue Whales 3D: Return of the Giants go to https://californiasciencecenter.org/imax/blue-whales-3d or https://bluewhalesfilm.com/ .

California Science Center's 24th Annual Discovery Ball Honors the Rich Maya Legacy of Art, Science, and Culture

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 9, 2023

LOS ANGELES, May 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, April 1st, 2023, the California Science Center Foundation hosted its 24th Annual Discovery Ball where 600 guests dined and danced "Under the Maya Sky."

Key Points: 
  • LOS ANGELES, May 9, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, April 1st, 2023, the California Science Center Foundation hosted its 24th Annual Discovery Ball where 600 guests dined and danced "Under the Maya Sky."
  • This year's theme was inspired by the Science Center's newest exhibit, Maya: The Exhibition.
  • "Proceeds from our signature fundraiser enable us to provide exceptional science learning and education opportunities for our communities."
  • Among other guests were former NASA astronauts, Danny Olivas and Garrett Reisman; and NBC LA reporters, Kim Tobin and Conan Nolan.