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NASA opens its first wind tunnel in 40 years at Langley Research Center
WTOP • • science
Key Points:
- NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, celebrated the ribbon-cutting of its new Flight Dynamics Research Facility (FDRF), a $53 million, 25,000-square-foot wind tunnel, the first added to NASA’s assets in 40 years.
- The FDRF, constructed by BL Harbert International and completed in March 2026, will undergo data collection and certifications before conducting its first test with NASA’s experimental X-66 Transonic Truss-Braced Wing project.
- Langley, established in 1917 as NASA’s first field center, has historically contributed to aircraft and spacecraft development, including testing for major programs like Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Orion, and Artemis.
- The center continues to support NASA’s Artemis moon missions, with recent improvements to the Space Launch System (SLS) informed by Langley’s wind tunnel data, enhancing flight smoothness and performance.
- The FDRF represents a significant advancement in aeronautics and space exploration testing capabilities, positioning Langley at the forefront of future American aerospace innovations.
