A grand opening ceremony celebrated the Space Shuttle Endeavour exhibition and the new Samuel Oschin Pavillion at the California Science Center on Oct. 30.
Gov. Jerry Brown and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa helped welcome the Endeavour back home to Southern California.

“The shuttle is a big part of aerospace history, but also California history — the Endeavour was built right here,” said Bill Nye who emceed the opening of the exhibition.



The shuttle Orbiter Endeavor was constructed locally in Downey and Palmdale. The Exhibition is appropriately titled “Endeavour: The California Story” and is an introduction to the space shuttle Endeavour and its ties to California where all the other shuttle-orbiters were built.

“We are delighted that the California Science Center will use the Endeavour to inspire a new generation of scientists and explorers,” said David McBride, director of NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center. “The next chapter in space exploration begins now.”


The new Samuel Oschin Pavilion is now open to the public. Space Shuttle Endeavour Exhibition Viewing times are 10 a.m., with the last entry at 3:45 p.m. Admission to see the shuttle is free but the science center recommends buying “timed tickets,” which are available for $3 for nonmembers and $2 for members.
 For more information or to purchase tickets online visit www.californiasciencecenter.org.