Downey’s Columbia Memorial Space Center breaks ground for its new science education complex

The Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey is expanding its capacity for science learning programs, events, and more.

Leaders of the Space Center, city officials, community members, and Downey Unified School District students gathered on Monday, Nov. 17, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the center’s plans to expand and build a new science education complex, called “Project Inspiration,” which will launch its existing engagement programs to new heights, officials said.

The nearly 40,000-plus square-foot expansion will bring students, families, educators and the greater community new spaces where they can connect and engage in fun, high-quality science learning programs, events, and experiences, officials said.

“Today, we are breaking ground on the next stage of this Space Center,” said Ben Dickow, president and executive director of the center. “It’s going to be a hub of creativity, critical thinking and dreaming big, as well as being a community resource for everyone in Southern California. We want to celebrate the past that got us here, but also really look to the future.”

The celebration began with a performance by the Downey District Mariachi band and coffee from Helping Hands Coffee. That was followed by guest speakers and a ceremonial groundbreaking in the field where the new building will be.

One of the Space Center’s expansion plans will be to display the historic “Inspiration” space shuttle mockup, which will allow students and visitors of all ages to step inside its cargo bay and learn about aerospace design, according to a press release.

Built in 1972 by Rockwell International as part of their process to build the orbiters for NASA, “Inspiration” model was considered the first shuttle ever built and served as an engineering prototype and payload fitting tool for all the orbiters that were launched into space. The full-size original space shuttle mockup arrived in Downey last year and is being restored.

The vision for the space shuttle mockup display and other exhibits of rare artifacts, such as the Apollo Boilerplate Capsule, will be to invite everyone to see a historic orbiter up close and learn about the mechanics and pioneering engineering that went into building the legendary spacecrafts on the site where the Space Center is now located, officials said.

“For decades, Downey had been known for its innovation and aerospace legacy,” said Downey Mayor Hector Sosa. “The expansion of this Columbia Memorial Space Center will allow us to honor that legacy in a modern and forward-thinking way.”

The expanded Space Center will also spotlight the trailblazing women and men from the United States, Latin America, and across the world whose work sent humanity to the moon and whose innovations changed the world, according to a press release.

New learning environments will also allow the center to double its programs and provide new education enrichment opportunities for students, families and communities across Southern California – creating a model for how youth and the public connect with science and each other, officials said.

To complete the expansion, the Space Center’s Project Inspiration Campaign aims to raise $50 million to cover the building plans, specialized exhibits, and new science education programs and special events. So far, the project has received city, state, and federal funding, according to board president Nader Moghaddam.

“Today’s groundbreaking is a result of years of toil and effort, and it is wonderful to see all of you here,” Moghaddam said.

Sen. Bob Archuleta and representatives from the offices of Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco and Rep. Robert Garcia congratulated the Space Center on their expansion project.

The event also featured a special guest speaker, American engineer and former NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman, who has been on three of the five space shuttles and has been in space for over 107 days.

“I can’t think of a better name for the project, because that’s exactly the whole mission of this facility, of this mockup,” Reisman said, “it’s to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and astronauts.”

Reisman shared what inspired him to become an astronaut. When he was 13, his family visited the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. and was “completely blown away.”

“That really set me on this path that led me all the way to space,” he said. “That moment, being there…being able to touch, feel and see such historic artifacts, that inspired me to become an astronaut. Hopefully, ‘Inspiration’ here will inspire a lot of you to do the same.”

The Columbia Memorial Space Center strives to ignite communities of critical and creative thinkers, officials said. Through engaging programs, world-class exhibits and unique events, the Space Center aims to invite youth from every community in Southern California to experience science and to remind them that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

The expansion is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026, officials said.