See the Giant Shuttle Endeavour Up Close in LA

Los Angeles has a new giant toy for space fans. The California Science Center is opening a huge new building on November 13. Inside, you can ride an elevator 140 feet up a launch tower. At the top, a glass floor lets you look down at a real space shuttle. There is also a slide that feels like coming back through the sky. You can try landing the shuttle in a simulator too. It is a big day for the museum.

The star of the show is Endeavour. It stands almost 200 feet high. This shuttle was the last one NASA ever built. It came after the Challenger accident in 1986. Endeavour first flew on May 7, 1992. It flew 25 times and never failed. Now it sits straight up with real rocket boosters and a big fuel tank. The museum says this is the only full shuttle system you can see anywhere on Earth.

The new wing is 200,000 square feet. That is almost twice as much room as before. It holds 100 space objects and 100 things you can touch and try. The building honors Samuel Oschin. He gave money to good causes and died in 2003. His wife, Lynda, leads the family foundation that helped pay for this place. She says her husband loved stars, numbers, science, and helping kids dream big.

About 30 astronauts will show up for the opening party. That group includes all six people who flew on Endeavour's last trip, STS-134. Senator Mark Kelly led that crew. Getting in to the science center costs nothing. But you should reserve a time slot for the new exhibit. Booking online costs four dollars. Lots of people are expected, so plan ahead.