F a c t Sheet

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center Hampton, Virginia 23681-2199 FS-2003-01-75-LaRC

NASA Langley Research Center Contributing to the Next 100 Years of Flight
Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, is a vital component of NASA. In collaboration with other NASA Centers, Langley strives to understand and protect the Earth, explore the universe and search for life, and inspire the next generation of explorers. Since 1917 Langley has examined the challenges of flight and made airand spacecraft more responsive to the needs of our Nation. With computer-enhanced wind tunnels and laboratories, research air- and spacecraft, and flight simulators, the highly qualified staff at Langley contributes to technological advances in aerospace systems concepts and analysis; aerodynamics, aerothermodynamics, and acoustics; structures and materials; airborne systems; atmospheric sciences; and systems engineering. Langley is making the national air transportation system safer, more secure, and more efficient; contributing to the exploration of our universe; making aircraft safer, more environmentally friendly, and quieter; and increasing understanding of our home planet. Perhaps more importantly, we are partnering with parents and educators to inspire the next generation. Visit our web site at http://www.larc.nasa.gov/.

Langley History
The Center was awarded Collier Trophies for
Langley Immersive Design and Simulator Lab (left) and research flight simulator (right).

The NASA 757 research aircraft.

Development of a low drag engine cowling in 1929. Determining the physical laws affecting supersonic flight, shared by John Stack of Langley and Lawrence Bell and Chuck Yeager in 1947. Development and use of the slotted-throat wind tunnel for transonic speed research, shared by John Stack and associates in 1951. Development of the Whitcomb area rule to reduce the increase in wing drag associated with transonic flight, to Richard Whitcomb in 1954.

Name changed to Langley Aeronautical Laboratory in 1948. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) formed; renamed NASA Langley Research Center in 1958.

Recent Accomplishments
Better Flight Service for More People
Space Shuttle model in the slotted-throat 16-Ft Transonic Tunnel.

During World War II, Langley was instrumental in drag cleanup studies that improved the performance of military aircraft. The Langley staff made crucial contributions to the Mercury, Gemini, Lunar Orbiter, Apollo, Viking, Space Shuttle, and Space Station programs. Significant technology for todays aircraft was developed at Langley in programs such as NASA Aircraft Energy Efficiency (ACEE) Program, NASA Advanced Subsonic Technology Program, and the High-Speed Research Program. Five sites at Langley are designated as National Historic Landmarks. The Langley Variable Density Tunnel The Langley Full-Scale Tunnel The Langley 8-Foot High-Speed Tunnel The Lunar Landing Research Facility The Rendezvous and Docking Simulator

The Advanced General Aviation Transportation Experiments (AGATE), an alliance of NASA, government agencies, industry, and universities, revitalized the U.S. general aviation (GA) industry by creating an approach to design, manufacture, and certify safer aircraft cabins. The AGATE team transferred technologies and published certification paths for Highway in the sky (HITS) computer gauges to replace dial gauges and reduce pilot workload. Databus standard that allows easy, costeffective replacement of avionics equipment. Air data attitude and heading reference system (ADAHRS) to replace gyros for increased reliability and safety. Simplified stick flight control system and automatic landing, which allows safe emergency landings if the pilot is incapacitated.

Langley was named a Historic Aerospace Site by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). Visit the NASA History Office web page at http://history.nasa.gov/.

The Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) is building on AGATE. SATS plans to increase air transportation access to smaller communities and improve the transportation of people, services, and goods by effective use of over 5,000 smaller public airports. See the SATS web site at http://sats.larc.nasa.gov/main.html.

Significant Agency Milestones

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) formed in 1915. Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory founded in 1917.
Artists concept of SATS.

Smoother Flights Researchers with the NASA Aviation Safety Program (AvSP)a partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), aircraft manufacturers, airlines, and the Department of Defensetested a new way to predict turbulence around thunderstorms. Atmospheric turbulence is not only hazardous; it also costs money and time because of rerouting and late arrivals. Turbulence is the leading cause of in-flight injuries to airline passengers and flight crews. Visit the AvSP web site at
http://avsp.larc.nasa.gov/

potential to vastly improve our capability to predict hurricane landfall, identify potentially severe weather events before storm clouds form, and improve operational weather and air quality forecasts. GIFTS satellite data will improve aviation safety by providing timely, accurate weather information to pilots.

Health Management for Aircraft Aircraft accidents caused by equipment failure may some day be prevented with the Aircraft Condition Analysis and Management System (ACAMS), being developed with an industry partner. This system would read data from sensors throughout an aircraft. Detection of a malfunction or degrading performance would trigger an alert. During a flight simulation, the ACAMS technology prototype successfully identified landing gear brake faults that were intentionally set. In addition, it predicted how a small crack in an airframe structure would grow if no corrective action was taken. Nozzle on Aircraft Noise The Quiet Aircraft Technology (QAT) Program is addressing the difficult problem of reducing noise from flying aircraft. Noise generated from wing slats and flaps and landing gearairframe noiseas well as engine noise is being examined. To quiet engine noise, scarfed engine inlets, noise-absorbing treatments in the inlet, and chevron engine nozzle exit concepts were successfully flight-tested. Researchers are examining ways that aircraft fly around airports to determine flight paths that have the least noise impact on surrounding communities. GIFTS for Better Weather Prediction Langley's new Geostationary Infrared Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS) instrument will revolutionize weather forecasting. GIFTS technologies now being validated have the

Satellite image of Earths interrelated climate systems.

Understanding Our Atmosphere Center scientists joined more than 350 researchers from around the world to measure ozone and other atmospheric gases in the Arctic for the SOLVE II (SAGE III Ozone Loss and Validation Experiment) which used aircraft, large and small balloons, ground-based instruments, and satellites. This second study follows one in which record ozone losses of 70 percent were observed at higher altitudes in the Arctic Circle. The ozone layer prevents the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the Earth's surface. Preserving the Charters of Freedom At the request of the National Archives, Langley scientists examined the air in cases that held the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. These documents, the Charters of Freedom, were encased in humidified helium for preservation. Archivists noticed white flakes forming on the case glass and feared that air was causing deterioration. Langley scientists proved that the cases were sealed; however, large

amounts of carbon dioxide and humidity were found. The backing paper was determined to be the problem. Special backing paper was proposed to preserve the documents. For more information about Atmospheric Sciences research:
http://asd-www.larc.nasa.gov/ASDhomepage.htm

Flying at Mach 7 To demonstrate air-breathing engine technologies that could increase payload capacity or reduce vehicle size for future hypersonic or reusable space launch vehicles, NASA Langley and Dryden are conducting ground and flight tests. Langley tested an X-43 engine on a wind tunnel model to verify performance at Mach 7 or 7 times the speed of sound. The X-43 hypersonic research vehicle, part of the Hyper X Program, will be launched from a B-52 research aircraft for flight tests. See Hyper X fact sheet online at
http://oea.larc.nasa.gov/PAIS/Hyper-X.html

could observe close to the surface and also cover a large distance. The aircraft, called the Eagle, successfully completed a flight test in Mars-like conditions. With its wings and tail folded in the same position as for a trip to Mars, the Eagle was attached to a high-altitude balloon. At nearly 19 miles above the Earth, the aircraft separated from the balloon, unfolded its wings and tail, and completed a preprogrammed flight path. For more information see
http://marsairplane.larc.nasa.gov/.

Artists concept of Mars airplane in flight.

Technology Transfer Langley is known for unparalleled technology transfer to both aerospace and nonaerospace businesses. These spin-off technologies have enormous benefit to the public and the local and national economy. Learn more about technology transfer at http://tech-transfer.larc.nasa.gov/. Monitoring Fetal Heartbeats Aerospace technology originally created to better understand airflow over a wing was developed to monitor fetal heartbeats. The easy-to-use portable device allows expectant mothers, who live in remote areas or have difficulty in visiting a doctors office, to send a heart-monitoring signal over a telephone line to their doctor.

Hyper X model and booster rocket on research aircraft.

Mars Airplane Concepts A team from NASA Langley, industry, universities, and other government laboratories are adapting Earth aircraft technology for a concept for flight in the atmosphere of Mars. The aircraft may be used to measure the relationships between water in the atmosphere, at the surface, and within the crust of Mars. The Mars airplane