Columbia Memorial Space Center
By a joint resolution of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey, California serves as the national memorial to the Space Shuttle Columbia and its seven crew members lost in 2003. All of America’s Space Shuttles were assembled at the site where the museum is located. The center seeks to inspire children to explore and engage with the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).
The architectural design for the 18,000 SF science center features a fluid shaped, shimmering silver skin, a double-height lobby, and interactive exhibits. The design embodies the aspirations and ambition of astronauts exploring space. Set in Discovery Park, the science center is a public linchpin of the billion-dollar Downey’s Landing project, the 160-acre mixed-use redevelopment of a former Boeing aerospace testing complex. The science center greets the public with a plaza and park entrance designed by ArqGEO. Inside, visitors find interactive educational exhibits on science and space. Attractions include simulated space missions, a “Space Science Discovery Zone” with interactive exhibits, a robotics lab and historical displays.
The Challenger crew lost in 1986, is also honorably remembered at the Columbia Memorial Space Center with the Challenger Learning Center.
