Los Angeles, California

Space Shuttle Endeavour: The Final NASA Orbiter in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, United States

By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published Fri, Aug 28, 2026

Why it’s cool

This retired orbiter completed 25 missions and traveled over 122,853,151 miles before navigating the narrow streets of Los Angeles to reach its permanent home.

West Coast Historic

The Space Shuttle Endeavour on display inside a large, dark hangar at the California Science Center.

The sight of a spacecraft piggybacking on a 747 over the Golden Gate Bridge marked the end of a significant chapter in American space travel. Endeavour OV-105 was the fifth and final orbiter constructed by NASA, built to carry on the mission of exploration after the loss of the Challenger.

It represents a legacy of resilience for the teams who continued to reach for the stars despite immense risks. During its 19 years of service, the shuttle completed 25 successful missions and spent a total of 299 days in orbit.

Why It Stands Out

Endeavour first took flight in 1992 and eventually logged 122,853,151 miles before its retirement. Its journey to a permanent home in Southern California was a public spectacle that drew crowds to rooftops and bridges across the country.

After departing the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the shuttle made several symbolic flyovers, passing low over Tucson and the Jet Propulsion Lab. The final leg of the trip involved a delicate transit through the narrow city streets of Los Angeles, where the massive wingspan required precision maneuvering.

It finally arrived at the California Science Center, opening to the public on October 30th, 2012. Nearby, The Echo Park Time Travel Mart offers a different perspective on exploration.

Before You Go

The shuttle is currently off display while a new permanent exhibit is prepared. It is expected to return to public view in late 2026.

When the exhibit is active, visitors usually begin at a companion gallery located near the ecosystems section before heading to the dedicated shuttle pavilion. Reservations are frequently necessary, particularly for those visiting on holidays or weekends.

Travelers interested in local history might also enjoy the Heritage Square Museum.

Questions worth answering

Can we see the shuttle right now?

The orbiter is currently tucked away while its new home is being built. Plan your trip for late 2026 if you want to see it.

How much ground did this spacecraft cover during its career?

It logged 122,853,151 miles across 25 different missions. Those trips kept it in orbit for a total of 299 days.

What should we know about getting tickets?

You will often need to book your spot ahead of time. This is a requirement if you show up on a holiday or a weekend.

Where do we go once we arrive at the center?

Your visit starts at the companion gallery near the ecosystems area. From there, you head to the separate pavilion where the ship is kept.

Visit Snapshot

Endeavour is currently off display and is scheduled to return in late 2026. When available, advance reservations are often required, especially on weekends and holidays.

The exhibit typically begins near the ecosystems section before moving to a separate pavilion building.

Location

Los Angeles, California

Know before you go

In order to view Endeavour, advance reservations might be required depending on the day of your visit and are required on weekends and holidays. To view the shuttle, you will start at the companion exhibit which you will find located next to the ecosystems section, before then moving to the shuttle display pavilion building (separate building just outside).

Editorial source

Space Shuttle Endeavour

Note: The space shuttle Endeavour is currently off display, but will return in late 2026. People all across the country and up and down the coast of California clambered onto rooftops, swarmed bridges and climbed the highest buildings to say goodbye to Endeavour OV-105 on its final journey.

Heartwarming, patriotic, and a little sad, the flight signified the end of an exciting era. The fifth and final space shuttle that NASA built, Endeavour was an orbiter that flew its first mission in 1992.

Built to replace the doomed Challenger shuttle after it was lost during launch, Endeavour represented hope and perseverance, a symbol of the bravery displayed by the men and women who persisted in exploring the unknown, despite the strong odds against them. After 25 successful flights in 19 years of service, the shuttle was decommissioned.

After 122,853,151 fly miles and a total of 299 days in space, the Endeavour was put to rest, but not before giving Americans one last look as it was flown from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to its final resting place in Southern California. NASA took its time, making sure to fly low over places significant in space exploration history, and allowing everyone in its path a chance to wave goodbye.

Many organizations vied for the chance to display the shuttle, but it was the California Science Center in Los Angeles, California that finally won out. The funeral procession of the mighty, space-worn shuttle was something to see.

Bolted to the roof of a massive 747 carrier aircraft and escorted on each side by small fighter jets, the spacecraft took a detour to Tuscon, buzzed the Golden Gate Bridge, and did a lazy loop around the Jet Propulsion Lab. Its wingspan made the journey on the ground through narrow city streets a nail-biting experience for operators and citizens alike, but they finally made it, and on October 30th, 2012, the Endeavour display was opened to the public.

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