Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center Opens With 18,580 Square Meters Space Expansion
The United States’ nearly 70-year history of solar system exploration and Earth observation comes to life on November 13 with the public opening of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center in Los Angeles. Spanning 200,000 square feet (18,580 square meters), the new expansion at the California Science Center builds on a four-decade partnership between NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)—managed by Caltech in Pasadena—and the Los Angeles museum.
While the cultural institution’s latest attraction is widely anticipated for displaying NASA’s retired space shuttle Endeavour in its vertical launch configuration for the first time, the massive new wing houses a deep collection of aerospace artifacts. According to a Los Angeles Times review, the shuttle installation stands among the greatest museum artifacts ever built, yet the surrounding galleries contain an array of hardware pulled straight from the pages of early spaceflight history.
Kent Kresa Space Gallery Displays Robotic Explorers and Lunar Probes
The JPL experience anchors the Kent Kresa Space Gallery, serving as one of three primary exhibition spaces within the Oschin Air and Space Center. Visitors encounter a restored Ranger lunar probe alongside full-scale models and replicas documenting decades of robotic exploration, as detailed.
Suspended high within the gallery are full-scale models of Explorer 1—the United States’ first satellite—and the Cassini-Huygens space probe. The exhibition also provides a look toward future missions through hardware like the snake-like Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) robot.
Interactive zones invite guests to program miniature Mars rovers, assemble robotic spacecraft models, and use touchscreen interviews to hear directly from JPL experts. Additional exhibits transport visitors virtually to distant star systems to explore exoplanet discovery and practice gravitational slingshot maneuvers.
Leadership Perspectives on Public Curiosity and Exploration
Caltech president Ray Jayawardhana emphasized the historic impact of the institution’s space endeavors in a statement provided to the California Science Center.
Dave Gallagher, JPL director and Caltech vice president, noted that the exhibition captures the laboratory’s past missions alongside ongoing innovations designed to solve cosmic mysteries. Jeffrey Rudolph, president and CEO of the California Science Center, added that the collaboration aims to inspire future engineers and scientists by pairing real artifacts with current research accounts from Caltech faculty and JPL staff.
Admission Details and Reservation Requirements
While general admission to the California Science Center remains free, reservations for the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center are strongly encouraged due to heavy public demand. Officials warn that entry may be restricted for visitors arriving without advance bookings. A $4 reservation service fee applies per person, though the fee is waived for California Science Center members. Reservations can be secured online or by calling 213-744-2019.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center Opening
How much does it cost to enter the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center?
General admission to the California Science Center is free, but visiting the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center requires a reservation with a $4 service fee per person. The fee is waived for museum members, and advance booking is recommended due to anticipated high visitor demand.
What major spacecraft models are suspended in the Kent Kresa Space Gallery?
Full-scale models of Explorer 1, the United States’ first satellite, and the Cassini-Huygens space probe hang suspended inside the gallery. The space also features a restored Ranger lunar probe and advanced concepts like the snake-like EELS robot.
Worth a look