Space Shuttle Endeavour Prepped for Vertical Display in California
The complex process of preparing Space Shuttle Endeavour for vertical display at the California Science Center is underway.
"Endeavour will be the star attraction of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center."
Jeff Rudolph, California Science Center
'Go for Skirt' is the process of moving and lifting each of the space shuttle components into place for Endeavour's upcoming 20-story vertical display in the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, currently under construction in Los Angeles.
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.
Space Shuttle Endeavour will be Displayed in 'Ready-to-Launch' Configuration
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.
The roughly six-month Go for Stack process will start with the installation of the aft skirts, on top of which the solid rocket motors will be stacked to form the solid rocket boosters. This will be followed by the move and lift of the external tank, ET-94; then, Space Shuttle Endeavour will be moved across Exposition Park and lift into place by a large crane; and finally, the intricate mating of the orbiter with the rest of the space shuttle stack. Once finished, Endeavour will be in a vertical configuration towering 200-feet tall. The Air and Space Center building will be completed around the full shuttle stack.
"Endeavour will be the star attraction of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, a launchpad for creativity and innovation that will inspire future generations of scientists, engineers and explorers," said Jeff Rudolph, President and CEO of the California Science Center. "We are grateful to be at this point in the construction of the new Air and Space Center, and thrilled to start Go for Stack on July 20 to commemorate Space Exploration Day."
(Source: California Science Center news release. NASA images)