Langley Research Center (LRC)

Langley Research Center (LRC) was established in Hampton, Virginia in 1917 as the nation’s first civilian aeronautics research facility, and was the initial home of the first astronauts, the Mercury 7. Langley’s research areas, in addition to aeronautics, now include atmospheric sciences, and exploration. Technical challenges that Langley researchers are working on are global climate change, access to air and space, airplane advances, and air transportation system.[1]

Climate and atmospheric scientists at Langley study the atmosphere to understand the conditions that aircraft and spacecraft fly through, and to improve our understanding of climate and its impact. Langley aeronautic engineers work to make planes safer, quieter and more efficient. Additionally, Langley engineers analyze materials and structures intended for space flight, as well as design future supersonic and hypersonic aircraft.[2]

Langley also hosts many visitors each year at the Virginia Air & Space Center.  The Air & Space Center holds more than 30 historic aircraft, space flight artifacts, and a hands-on space exploration gallery.[3]

Clayton P. Turner serves as the Director of NASA’s Langley Research Center.

Annual Report: The 2021 Annual Report from Langley is available online.

Doing Business With Langley: Information on doing business with Langley can be found here.

Updated by Jackie Johnson, October 2022