Space Shuttle Endeavour: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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==== Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center ====

A new addition to the California Science Center, called the ''Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center'', as ''Endeavour's'{{'}}s new permanent home. This new expansion was the third phase of its master plan of renovations for the Science Center. Once finished, ''Endeavour''it will be the only shuttleSpace Shuttle mounted vertically in a 20-story-tall display with an [[Space Shuttle external tank|external fuel tank]], (ET-94, the last mission-ready one in existence as all others were destroyed during launch) and a pair of [[Solid rocket booster|solid rocket boosters]]. (SRBs) The Space Shuttle will. be raised in an upright position, as if looks like ''Endeavour'' were to make one more flight. One payload door will be opened out to reveal a demonstration payload inside.<ref name="casc" /> Originally slated to open in 2015, construction on the new began on the new Air and Space Center started on June 1, 2022.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lin II |first=Rong-Gong |last2=Campa |first2=Andrew J. |date=June 1, 2022 |title=Space shuttle Endeavour is getting its own grand museum in L.A., displayed in launch position |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-06-01/endeavour-space-shuttle-california-science-center-groundbreaking |access-date=June 4, 2022 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Wisdom |first=McKenzie |date=2022-06-09 |title=Groundbreaking at California Science Center's Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center |url=https://www.mattconstruction.com/blog/non-profit/groundbreaking-at-california-science-centers-samuel-oschin-air-and-space-center/ |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=MATT Construction |language=en-US}}</ref> ET-94 underwent restoration after being used to analyze the foam on its sister tank, which was a factor in the failure of [[STS-107]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Branson-Potts |first=Hailey |date=April 10, 2016 |title=Last flight-qualified space shuttle fuel tank in existence begins its journey to L.A. |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0411-space-shuttle-tank-20160411-story.html |access-date=April 20, 2019 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

On July 20, 2023, the assembly of the stack began with the aft skirts (bottom segments of the SRBs) being precisely positioned on a concrete slab supported by six [[Seismic base isolation|base isolators]] that will protect ''Endeavour'' from earthquakes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-07-20 |title=California Science Center starts complex process to display Space Shuttle Endeavour vertically |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/ap-california-science-center-starts-complex-process-to-display-space-shuttle-endeavour-vertically/ |access-date=2023-07-21 |work=KTLA |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> The SRBs was fully assembled on December 5.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Endeavour's Final Move |url=https://californiasciencecenter.org/about-us/samuel-oschin-air-and-space-center/go-for-stack |website=California Science Center}}</ref> On January 3, 2024, ''Endeavour'' was protected in a shrink wrap, likely to stay on until after the construction is complete.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearlman |first=Robert |date=2024-01-03 |title=Up next for Endeavour LA exhibit: Tank lift and shuttle shrink wrap |url=https://news.yahoo.com/next-endeavour-la-exhibit-tank-200043669.html |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref> The ET-94 tank was then moved into its permanent position in January 16.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lin II |first=Rong-Gong |date=2024-01-02 |title=Space shuttle Endeavour's giant orange external tank begins final journey |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-02/space-shuttle-endeavours-giant-orange-external-tank-begins-final-journey |access-date=2024-01-03 |work=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Campa |first=Andrew J. |last2=Lin II |first2=Rong-Gong |date=2024-01-12 |title=Mission accomplished: Space shuttle Endeavour's giant orange fuel tank moved into viewing spot in L.A. |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-01-12/shuttle-endeavours-giant-orange-fuel-tank-lifted-but-winds-delay-final-placement |access-date=2024-01-16 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> On January 30, the Space Shuttle was then moved into its permanent position, completing the stack. Once all components of ''Endeavour'' are in place, construction on the ''Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center'' continues, as it will be built around it. The new building is estimated to be open in 2025.

== Legacy ==