posted 11-18-2025 05:35 PM               

Project Inspiration: Groundbreaking marks display site for original mock space shuttle

A former astronaut led a ceremonial ground breaking on Monday (Nov. 17), beginning to clear the way for a new education complex and permanent home for the original full-scale "inspiration" for NASA's winged space shuttle orbiters.

Garrett Reisman, who flew on two shuttle missions, took hold of the center gold shovel at the future site of the 20,000-square-foot (1,900-sq.-meter) "Inspiration" expansion of the Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey, California. Joining him were Ben Dickow, president and executive director of the space center; Hector Sosa, the city's mayor; and State Senator Bob Archuleta along with seven other officials.