California Science Center
The California Science Center is the West Coast's largest hands-on science center and a dynamic destination where families, adults and children can explore the wonders of science through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, innovative programs and awe-inspiring films. Our mission is to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone by creating fun, memorable experiences, because we value science as an indispensable tool for understanding our world, accessibility and inclusiveness, and enriching people's lives.www.californiasciencecenter.org
16
MENTIONS
9
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9
PODCASTS
Search complete. 16 mentions across 9 episodes found for "California Science Center".
Sep 21, 2026
Aaron FarleyHOST
Then you have the African American Museum.
Randy RandallHOST
California Science Center is next to the Natural History Museum.
Randy RandallHOST
Oh, the California Science Center.
Randy RandallHOST
But it's
Aaron FarleyHOST
next to the History Museum.
MarieHOST
But it's yes.
MarieHOST
I was at this event and it was like breweries that came and they were at the California Science Center, right? That's what it's called? Yeah.
MarieHOST
It was really cool.
MarieHOST
And one of the little pop-ups for snacks
speaker_0HOST
Sounds simpler than flying into space, right? However, weighing in at 86 tons, the shuttle was too heavy for a helicopter, plus it couldn't be dismantled without causing permanent damage to the vehicle.
speaker_0HOST
So the California Science Center made the decision to shell out $10 million to transport the shuttle over land.
speaker_0HOST
Yep, the space shuttle was hitting the road.
speaker_0HOST
That came with another problem, though.
speaker_0HOST
For its ride, the 86-ton shuttle was loaded on top of four self-propelled modular trailers, or SPMTs for short.
speaker_0HOST
These multi-axle, computer-controlled vehicles allowed precise maneuverability and stability while moving the shuttle through such a busy route.
speaker_0HOST
In all, it took two days to transport the orbiter to its new base at the California Science Center, and to think, this shuttle traveled over 17,000 miles per hour in space.
speaker_0HOST
Still, the effort to lug a literal 122-foot-long space shuttle through the streets of Los Angeles makes this one of the world's most mind-blowing transportation feats.
Eben BrownCORRESPONDENT
Udvar-Hazy in Virginia, just outside D.C., has the Discovery orbiter.
Eben BrownCORRESPONDENT
Endeavour is at the California Science Center in L.A., And Atlantis is here in Florida at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Eben BrownCORRESPONDENT
And they've built a wonderful pavilion for it where you can get underneath it, you can get right up close to it.
Eben BrownCORRESPONDENT
And it's just, these things are amazing to behold.
Eve McCarthyGUEST
was being able to go on that trip.
Eve McCarthyGUEST
We spent one week in California, where we went to, say, the California Science Center, and we also went to Disneyland.
Richie WilliamsonHOST
So it was a bit of work, a bit of play.
Eve McCarthyGUEST
Of course, yeah.
Tail DraggerHOST
And the Spirit of St. Louis, it belongs in that company.
Tail DraggerHOST
The New Orleans is on display at the California Science Center in Los Angeles.
Tail DraggerHOST
Another original airframe that somehow survived the century.
Tail DraggerHOST
Lowell Smith flew for many years after 1924, and so did Eric Nelson and the rest Major Martin.
Jay NovellaHOST
And I'm still jaw-dropped.
Jay NovellaHOST
So at the California Science Museum, the Science Center.
Jay NovellaHOST
Just say it correctly.
Jay NovellaHOST
It's one word, Science Center.
Jay NovellaHOST
Science Center.
Jay NovellaHOST
Through contacts that we have, we got to see the space shuttle full stack.
Jay NovellaHOST
The Endeavor.
Kara Santa MariaHOST
So Jay, speaking of engineering, when Endeavor got here, it was October 2012, I don't know if you guys remember.
Ricky HaybergHOST
...
Ricky HaybergHOST
the California Science Center, and there was a bunch of comments being like, "They're charging $800 for entry." It's like, California Science Center's, it's been free forever.
Eliot DewberryHOST
[laughs]
Ricky HaybergHOST
It's free to go.
Ashley JohnsonHOST
Liquids play a vital role in our lives, and to honor this state of matter, here are the nominees for achievement in liquid containment
Taliesin JaffeHOST
Uh, first, the, the California Science Center mug
Ashley JohnsonHOST
Great.
Ashley JohnsonHOST
Great.
Ashley JohnsonHOST
I knew it
Taliesin JaffeHOST
Mm
Ashley JohnsonHOST
The California Science Center mug.
Ashley JohnsonHOST
Oh, congrats.