What goes up into space, carries astronauts to incredible heights, and has played a key role in exploring the universe?
That’s the Space Shuttle! This remarkable spacecraft, known as the Space Transportation System (STS), was designed to conduct a variety of missions, including assembling the International Space Station and launching the Hubble Space Telescope. Equipped with two giant solid rocket boosters, the Shuttle made space travel more efficient and showcased human ingenuity by performing repairs and experiments in orbit.
The Space Shuttle program, which officially began with the launch of Columbia on April 12, 1981, marked a significant milestone in human space exploration. Over its thirty-year span, the program completed 135 missions, launching five different orbiters: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. Each orbiter had its own unique contributions, with Challenger tragically lost during mission STS-51-L in 1986.
Photos courtesy California Science Center
Despite this loss, the program continued to push the boundaries of what was possible in space travel. The final mission, STS-135, took place in July 2011, concluding a legacy that not only advanced scientific research but also fostered international collaboration in space exploration. The Space Shuttle’s ability to transport astronauts and cargo to and from orbit made it a vital asset in our quest to understand the universe.
The Space Shuttle program completed 135 missions, launching five different orbiters: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. Each orbiter had its unique contributions, with Challenger tragically lost during mission STS-51-L in 1986. Despite this loss, the program continued to push the boundaries of space travel, culminating in the final mission, STS-135, in July 2011. This legacy not only advanced scientific research but also fostered international collaboration in space exploration.
Soon, the Space Shuttle Endeavour will make its home at the California Science Center, becoming the centerpiece of the new Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center.
Commissioned to replace the lost Challenger, Endeavour was built largely from spare parts and named by a group of schoolchildren after British explorer James Cook’s ship.
Between 1995 and 2011, Endeavour completed 25 missions, achieving remarkable feats such as remedying the Hubble Space Telescope’s blurry vision, connecting the first two modules of the International Space Station, and creating a topographic map of the Earth’s surface that remains in use today.
To prepare for Endeavour’s arrival, the Science Center has acquired a flight-worthy external tank and solid rocket boosters, which will complement the exhibit. A groundbreaking ceremony for the new facility took place on June 1, 2022, and the first solid rocket booster was lifted into place on November 7, 2023. With this exciting exhibit, families will have the opportunity to learn about and celebrate the incredible journey of this historic spacecraft, making it a must-see destination for space enthusiasts of all ages.
No word when the exhibit will open as of yet, but it’s definitely coming along. Nicely.
