Soaring Ambitions: LA's New Air & Space Center Takes Flight

LOS ANGELES, CA – May 12, 2026 – A colossal piece of aviation history, the 70-foot forward fuselage of a Korean Air Boeing 747-400, was carefully maneuvered into place today, marking a major milestone in the creation of the California Science Center’s Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. The event, celebrating the first artifacts installed in the future Korean Air Aviation Gallery, provides a tangible glimpse into a project poised to redefine the landscape of science education and museum experiences in Los Angeles and beyond.

With the main building construction completed in April, the sprawling 200,000-square-foot expansion is now a hive of activity as crews work to install a collection of 100 priceless aerospace artifacts alongside 100 new interactive exhibits. While an official opening date remains unannounced, the installation of the iconic “Queen of the Skies” section signals that the ambitious project is rapidly moving from blueprint to reality.

A New Era for Science Education

The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center is more than just an expansion; it's a profound commitment to public education that will nearly double the Science Center's educational exhibition space. At its core is a mission to make world-class science learning accessible to all, a principle underscored by the plan to offer free general admission to the new center, continuing the institution's long-standing policy.

The Korean Air Aviation Gallery, one of three main galleries, will immerse visitors in the principles of flight. Exhibits are designed to explore the trade-offs between lift, thrust, drag, and weight. The centerpiece, ‘The 747 Experience,’ will allow guests to enter the massive fuselage section, explore the upper and main decks, view the cockpit, and take a simulated flight from Los Angeles to Seoul. Other planned exhibits include a wind tunnel lab for hands-on experiments and a ‘Design a Plane’ interactive, where visitors can engineer aircraft for specific missions.

"We are creating a one-of-a-kind educational resource that will benefit not only the children and youth of our shared Los Angeles community, but will inspire future generations of scientists, engineers, explorers from across the globe," said Jeffrey Rudolph, President and CEO of the California Science Center. The goal is to ignite curiosity and provide a tangible connection to the science and engineering that shapes our world.

The Power of Partnership

Realizing a vision of this scale—with a total project budget of $450 million—requires a monumental collaborative effort. The EndeavourLA Campaign, the fundraising arm of the project, has successfully raised over $393 million from more than 1,100 donors, a testament to the project's broad support.

The partnership with Korean Air, a principal donor, is a cornerstone of this success. The airline's support not only funds its namesake gallery but also forges a symbolic link between Los Angeles and the global aviation community. Los Angeles has been a key North American gateway for the airline for over five decades.

"Our vision for the Korean Air Aviation Gallery is to spark curiosity and wonder in the next generation," stated Walter Cho, Chairman and CEO of Korean Air and Hanjin Group, who was present for the milestone event. "By showcasing the science and imagination behind flight, we want to inspire young visitors to become the pilots, engineers, and innovators of tomorrow."

This public-private partnership model, led by lead donors like the Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Oschin Family Foundation and the State of California, and supported by foundations and corporations, demonstrates a powerful formula for building cultural and educational landmarks that serve the public good.

Building a Landmark, Piece by Historic Piece

The journey to this point has been an engineering marvel in itself. The most dramatic moment came over a six-month period ending in early 2024 when the space shuttle Endeavour was painstakingly lifted and mated with its external tank and solid rocket boosters. The full, 180-foot-tall stack now stands in its permanent, 'ready-to-launch' vertical configuration inside the Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery—an attraction that will be unique in the world.

Today's installation adds to that growing collection of wonders. Suspended from the ceiling of the Korean Air Aviation Gallery, joining the 747 section, are four other historic aircraft: a Grumman F11F-1 Tiger, the U.S. Navy’s first supersonic fighter; a Convair F-106A Delta Dart, the fastest single-engine turbojet airplane; a nimble Pitts Special S-1C aerobatic biplane; and a Hawker Siddeley Harrier T.4, famed for its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities. Each artifact tells a part of the story of humanity's quest to conquer the skies.

LA's Bid for the Aviation Museum Crown

When it opens, the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will instantly join the ranks of the world's premier aviation and space museums, such as the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Museum of Flight in Seattle. However, it is poised to offer an experience that is entirely its own.

Its defining feature will be the vertical display of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. While other museums display shuttle orbiters, none will present the complete, authentic launch system in its awe-inspiring vertical configuration. This single exhibit is expected to be a massive draw for tourists and space enthusiasts globally, cementing Los Angeles as a key destination for science and technology heritage.

Combined with the immersive 747 Experience, the deep collection of diverse aircraft, and a robust suite of interactive exhibits—all accessible for free—the center is strategically positioned to become one of the most significant cultural and educational attractions in the nation, with aspirations to be fully operational before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games. This milestone installation of the first aviation artifacts is a powerful affirmation that those soaring ambitions are well on their way to being realized.