Bosco Tech students to help with space shuttle restoration project

DOWNEY — Don Bosco Technical Institute (Bosco Tech) is partnering with Downey on its Space Shuttle Inspiration Pathfinder Project, where the goal is the restoration of the original full-scale mockup of the space shuttle.

Named “Inspiration,” the mockup originally was used to earn approval of the space shuttle program and assist in the final design. Utilized for hardware and software development in later years, it is now part of the City of Downey’s Columbia Memorial Space Science Learning Center, located near the former 1970s space shuttle developer Rockwell International.

While several university teams are working to restore various parts of the mockup, Rosemead-based Bosco Tech is the only high school asked to participate in this venture.

Students, under the guidance of their instructors and Bosco Tech alumni who were instrumental in the space program, will disassemble, document, refurbish and restore the Inspiration’s nose landing gear.

“Our students are thrilled to work on this exciting restoration,” said Luis Garza, Assistant Principal of Technology. “Not only will they utilize the resources of our expansive technology labs in their work, but the fact that they’ll be mentored by actual space program engineers is a priceless opportunity. These Tech alumni are part of space exploration history.”