The Columbia Memorial Space Center (CMSC) is a two-story, 20,000-square-foot interactive aerospace museum and Challenger Learning Center located at 12400 Columbia Way in Downey, California, established by the U.S. Congress as the official national memorial to the seven astronauts of Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-107) on the historic 160-acre factory site where all Apollo Command/Service Modules and all Space Shuttle Orbiters were designed and built. Holding an average visitor rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars across more than 138 verified reviews, it ranks among the top-rated points of interest in Downey, California. Current hours, seasonal schedules, and visitor guidelines are maintained on the official Columbia Memorial Space Center website.
For more than seven decades (1929–1999), the Downey aerospace plant operated by North American Aviation, Rockwell International, and Boeing employed up to 35,000 engineers and technicians who built the X-15 rocket plane, the Saturn V second stage, the Apollo lunar capsules that carried astronauts to the Moon, and Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102). Opened in 2009 inside a gleaming silver-tiled circular building on the former plant grounds, the Columbia Memorial Space Center preserves this extraordinary Southern California spaceflight heritage while inspiring the next generation with hands-on LEGO robotics labs and mission simulators.
Key Takeaways & Quick Visitor Highlights
- Official National Memorial to STS-107 (Space Shuttle Columbia): Honors astronauts Rick Husband, Willie McCool, Michael Anderson, Ilan Ramon, Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, and Laurel Clark.
- Birthplace of Apollo & the Space Shuttle: Stand on the exact ground where Apollo 11’s Command Module "Columbia" and all six Space Shuttle orbiters (Enterprise through Endeavour) were manufactured.
- Full-Scale Apollo Boilerplate Capsule (BP-12): View the historic 1960s Apollo spacecraft test module right outside the museum entrance.
- Hands-On Robotics Lab: Included with your $5 admission—children and adults can code and drive LEGO Mindstorms/Spike robots across simulated Martian terrain tables.
- Challenger Learning Center Mission Simulator: Features a two-room NASA Mission Control and Spacecraft simulator used for immersive student STEM flights.
- Only $5 Admission & Free Parking: One of the most affordable and authentic aerospace museums in Southern California.
Downey’s Secret Space Race History: From Apollo 11 to the Space Shuttle
Many visitors to Southern California have no idea that every single Apollo Command Module that flew astronauts into space—including Apollo 11’s "Columbia"—as well as every Space Shuttle Orbiter ever constructed was born right here at the Downey NASA Industrial Plant. Exhibitions across the museum’s two circular levels chronicle how North American Aviation and Rockwell International engineers designed, welded, and tested humanity’s most famous spacecraft on this site.
Inside the atrium, displays honor the seven crew members of Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-107), which was lost during atmospheric re-entry on February 1, 2003—a poignant full-circle tribute given that Columbia (OV-102) was originally assembled in Building 1 right across the street in Downey during the late 1970s. Outside on the plaza sits Apollo Boilerplate 12 (BP-12), an authentic full-scale 1964 test capsule used to verify parachute and launch-escape systems prior to crewed lunar missions.
Interactive Robotics Lab, Suit Displays & Rocket Launchers
The Columbia Memorial Space Center is built around active hands-on learning for ages 5 to 15. On the first floor, guests can inspect authentic Apollo and Space Shuttle pressure suits, test how air pressure behaves in a vacuum chamber, build and launch compressed-air rockets, and experience "The Buzz," a permanent honeybee and pollinator science display.
Upstairs on the second floor, the interactive Robotics Lab lets visitors borrow a tablet and a programmable LEGO robot at no extra cost. Staff instructors walk kids through block coding so they can program their rover to navigate craters and retrieve rock samples across a tabletop Mars surface.
Hours, $5 Tickets, Free Parking & City of STEM Events
The Columbia Memorial Space Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Admission is an unbeatable $5 per person for ages 4 and up, $3 for seniors (65+) and military veterans, and free for children ages 3 and under. Plenty of free surface parking sits immediately adjacent to the building off Columbia Way (just north of Imperial Highway between Lakewood Boulevard and Bellflower Boulevard, about 15 minutes north of Long Beach and 20 minutes southeast of downtown Los Angeles).
Check the official calendar at columbiaspacescience.org before your visit: the Space Center serves as the headquarters for Los Angeles County’s annual "City of STEM" festival in April—the largest science festival in Southern California—and hosts free outdoor "Rocket Fever" and telescope viewing nights throughout the year.
Columbia Memorial Space Center: Visitor Information, Hours & Planning Summary
| Visitor Detail | Verified Information (Columbia Memorial Space Center) |
|---|---|
| Official Address | 12400 Columbia Way, Downey, CA 90242 |
| City & Neighborhood | Downey, California — Downey Landing / Former NASA Industrial Plant Site (Southeast Los Angeles County) |
| Operating Hours | Tuesday–Saturday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM; Closed Sunday & Monday |
| Recommended Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| Admission / Pricing | Adults & Children (ages 4+) $5; Seniors (65+)/Veterans $3; Children 3 & under Free; Free on-site parking |
| Visitor Rating | 4.6 / 5.0 (138 reviews) |
| Phone Contact | +1 562-231-1200 |
| Official Website | https://www.columbiaspacescience.org/ |
Columbia Memorial Space Center Highlights & Experience Comparison
| Space Center Area | Key Artifacts & Activities | Included in $5 Ticket? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Plaza & Entrance | Apollo Boilerplate #12 (BP-12) test capsule & memorial gardens | Yes (visible from outdoor plaza) | Space history fans & photo ops |
| Level 1 Aerospace Gallery | STS-107 Columbia Memorial, spacesuits, Downey factory archives & air rockets | Yes | All ages |
| Level 2 Robotics Lab | Hands-on LEGO Mars Rover coding and obstacle tables | Yes (included daily) | Kids ages 5–14 |
| Challenger Learning Center | Mock NASA Mission Control & Spacecraft simulator | Booked for school/group missions & special events | STEM students & scout troops |
Frequently Asked Questions About Columbia Memorial Space Center
Where is the Columbia Memorial Space Center located?
The Columbia Memorial Space Center is located at 12400 Columbia Way, Downey, CA 90242, just off Imperial Highway next to Discovery Sports Complex and the Promenade at Downey (roughly 12 miles north of Long Beach and 13 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles).
How much does admission cost at the Columbia Memorial Space Center?
General admission is just $5 for adults and children ages 4 and older, $3 for seniors (65+) and veterans, and free for children ages 3 and under. On-site parking is also 100% free.
What are the Columbia Memorial Space Center’s opening hours?
The Space Center is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays.
Why is the Space Shuttle Columbia memorial located in Downey, California?
The museum sits on the former 160-acre NASA / North American Rockwell aerospace plant site in Downey where Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102), all five sister shuttle orbiters, and all of the Apollo lunar Command Modules were originally designed and built.
Is the Space Shuttle Endeavour or Columbia inside this museum?
While the Space Shuttle orbiters were manufactured on this site in Downey, Space Shuttle Columbia was tragically lost during the STS-107 mission in 2003 (this center is the official national memorial to its crew), and Space Shuttle Endeavour is housed at the California Science Center in Exposition Park, Los Angeles. Outside the Downey museum, you can view the authentic 1964 Apollo Boilerplate #12 (BP-12) capsule.
How long does it take to visit the Columbia Memorial Space Center?
Plan to spend 1.5 to 2.5 hours exploring both floors of interactive space exhibits, reading the Downey aerospace factory history, and coding Mars rovers in the second-floor Robotics Lab.
Editorial & Visitor Information Last Verified: . Always confirm seasonal holiday hours, special event closures, and current ticket pricing directly via the official Columbia Memorial Space Center website before travelling to 12400 Columbia Way, Downey, CA 90242.
When planning your Long Beach travel guide or comparing verified attractions and museums in Long Beach, pair this stop with standout local spots including The Belmont Shore Inn, Historical Society of Long Beach, Yard House, and Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum (9.7 km away).
