ɪnðə mˈɪd nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti z, pɹˈaɪɚ tə kənstɹˈʌkʃən, ɐ smˈɔːlɚ "bˈeɪɾə" vˈɜːʒən ʌvðə sˈaɪəns sˈɛntɚ kˈɔːld lˈɑːntʃ pˈæd ˈɑːpɚɹˌeɪɾᵻd ɪn sˈaʊθ kˈoʊst plˈɑːzə.
In the mid-1990s, prior to construction, a smaller "beta" version of the science center called Launch Pad operated in South Coast Plaza.