LOS ANGELES — Space Shuttle Endeavour will welcome the public in its dramatic new vertical display at the California Science Center on Friday, November 13, 2026, beginning at 10 a.m. The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center in Exposition Park is preparing to open with the orbiter, its external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters arranged in a nearly 20-story launch configuration. The announcement is especially timely for families, teachers and travelers planning November visits: advance reservations are already available, although admission to the museum itself remains free.
October 28 celebration is not the public opening
Governor Gavin Newsom appeared at the new facility on October 28 for a ceremony and discussion of California’s aerospace economy. That event was a preview and launch celebration, not the date regular visitors can enter the new galleries. The California Science Center Foundation separately confirmed the public opening for November 13. The distinction matters for anyone considering a trip to Los Angeles this week.
The new center adds about 200,000 square feet to the existing museum, nearly doubling its exhibition space. Its centerpiece is Endeavour, the last space shuttle constructed for NASA. The orbiter flew 25 missions, beginning in 1992, before arriving in Los Angeles in 2012. Unlike a spacecraft shown horizontally on supports, this display allows guests to see Endeavour in its upright launch position, with authentic hardware surrounding it.
How much does it cost to visit Endeavour?
General admission to the California Science Center, including the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, is free. However, the museum strongly recommends reserving a timed entry slot for the new addition because demand is expected to be high. The advance reservation carries a $4 service fee per person; the museum says the fee is waived for California Science Center members.
Visitors without a reservation may be admitted only if space is available. That is a risk for families traveling a long distance, so securing an entry time before driving to Exposition Park is the practical choice. The museum has an official reservations and tickets page. Check the date and time on the confirmation rather than assuming a general-admission visit guarantees access to Endeavour.
What visitors will find inside
According to the Science Center Foundation, the expansion includes roughly 100 aerospace and science artifacts and 100 new hands-on exhibits. The experience goes well beyond a single view of the shuttle. Visitors will be able to explore aviation and space technology, practice driving a simulated Mars rover, and experience an International Space Station fly-through using footage recorded by an astronaut. The institution also describes an opportunity to walk through a section of a real solid rocket booster.
The galleries bring together the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery, the Korean Air Aviation Gallery and the Kent Kresa Space Gallery. The exhibits aim to connect the history of flight with contemporary engineering and the work of the scientists, technicians and manufacturers who make aerospace projects possible.
Opening weekend: astronauts, talks and an Endeavour photo exhibition
The museum says its November 13 opening will include a ribbon-cutting and a gathering of approximately 30 astronauts, including the six-person crew of Endeavour’s final mission, STS-134. Space-related talks are scheduled during the opening weekend, and a photography exhibition will trace Endeavour’s route to the museum and the complex process of preparing the new launch-style installation. The Science Center also plans accompanying IMAX screenings; those experiences may have separate ticketing arrangements.
Why this matters beyond Los Angeles
California’s aerospace story is statewide. Southern California helped build the space shuttle fleet; Pasadena’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory develops robotic exploration missions; the Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base supports flight research; and the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex in San Bernardino County helps communicate with faraway spacecraft. The new exhibit gives students from coastal cities, the Inland Empire, the Central Valley and rural communities a tangible introduction to that shared history.
The governor’s office highlighted statewide aerospace employment and investment during the October 28 event. Those figures describe the industry’s economic footprint, but the immediate visitor news is simpler: a major science destination is opening to the public with free general admission and timed entry to its most anticipated attraction.
Plan your visit
- Public opening: Friday, November 13, 2026, at 10 a.m.
- Location: California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, California.
- General admission: Free, including the new Air and Space Center.
- Timed reservation: Strongly recommended; $4 advance service fee per person, waived for members.
- Before departing: Verify your reserved entry time and current museum information at CaliforniaScienceCenter.org.
Editor’s note: Information reflects official announcements available October 29, 2026. Opening plans and entry procedures may change; consult the Science Center directly before traveling.
Primary sources: California Science Center Foundation, October 28; Governor’s Office, October 28.
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