Space shuttle endeavour simulator ride movie#
Space shuttle endeavour simulator ride simulator#

Additionally, two reusable solid rocket boosters provided additional thrust for approximately the first two minutes of launch. In addition to their crews and payloads, the reusable orbiter carried most of the Space Shuttle System's liquid-propellant rocket system, but both the liquid hydrogen fuel and the liquid oxygen oxidizer for its three main rocket engines were fed from an external cryogenic propellant tank. space agency, this vehicle could carry astronauts and payloads into low Earth orbit, perform in-space operations, then re-enter the atmosphere and land as a glider, returning its crew and any on-board payload to the Earth. Operated from 1977 to 2011 by NASA, the U.S. The Orbiter is a partially reusable orbital spacecraft system that was part of the discontinued Space Shuttle program. Admission is free.The Space Shuttle consists of 3 main parts: In the meantime, the shuttle exhibit is viewable daily from 10am-5pm at The Samuel Oschin Pavilion. Long term plans for the shuttle include building an entire Air and Space Center at the museum. Every question my son had about the shuttle got a great (and deeply knowledgeable) answer, which was a big thrill. We were fortunate enough to catch the docent who worked on construction of the shuttle in Palmdale. One unexpected treat is that two of the docents working at the exhibit actually worked on the Endeavour itself. You can't touch it (and it may be worth talking to curious toddlers and preschoolers before you go), but walking under and around the Endeavor is impressive all the same. Seeing the effort that went into moving traffic lights and skimming trees really is fascinating - to say nothing of the footage of the shuttle's flight path over the Hollywood sign, Griffith Observatory, and the Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel. If you missed the Endeavour when it flew over or drove across town, the Science Center's exhibit captures the slow-motion journey that the behemoth made down LA's city streets in a wide-screen documentary film. There are fun hands-on demonstrations like the Lever Demonstration. The ride lasts about seven minutes and blasts out of the Earth's atmosphere and back with all the expected virtual thrills.

Space shuttle endeavour simulator ride simulator#

The flight simulator costs $5 extra, but kids will beg for a chance to try it. Wondering how much rubber gets worn off trying to land a shuttle? Plenty.

Yes, there's a real opportunity to kick the enormous tires that have been to space and back - a real treat for toddlers who are used to being told to stop kicking walls, toys, and furniture around the house.

Space shuttle endeavour simulator ride movie#

Kids will be entranced by the wall of screens on the Rocketdyne Operations Support Center (ROSC), which may remind them of something out of a movie or a video game. Other features include the actual command station used to communicate with Endeavour when in flight. For toddlers to school-age kids, this and the space potty will make the entire trip memorable. Wrinkle your nose if you like, but kids find this hysterical.Īfter the space potty, move on to the zero-gravity food fight at a display that shows astronauts playing with their food in ways never thought possible. Kids get to check out an actual space potty (the one astronauts practiced on before Endeavour missions) at an interactive display that explains just what's so difficult about peeing without gravity.

One highlight for kids (especially preschoolers) is the display on going to the potty in space. A shuttle ticket gives you access to an exhibit about space travel, illustrating the experiences of astronauts on board the Endeavour. The Science Center has a whole tour mapped out for guests, culminating at the Oschin Pavilion. The Endeavour experience is more than just a walk around the perimeter of the space shuttle - and while much of the displays will be enlightening for grown-ups, even preschoolers will be engaged (see space potty below).

Photo courtesy of the California Science Center