Langley Research Center Collection

Drop Test at Lunar Landing Research Facility, 1974. Creator: NASA
Drop Test at Lunar Landing Research Facility, USA, 1974. View of the drop test facility where aircraft crashes can be simulated, Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia

Lunar Landing Vehicle, USA, 1963. Creator: NASA
Lunar Landing Vehicle, USA, 1963. Vehicle for Lunar Landing Research Facility at Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia

Langley Laboratory annual picnic, Buckroe Beach, Hampton, Virginia, USA, July 1, 1929. On the barrel to the left is Ray Sharp

Test pilot and engineer, USA, 1920. Creator: Unknown
Test pilot and engineer, USA, 1920. Double the pilots double the trouble. Goggles at the ready, this test pilot and engineer conducted research business high above the Langley Research Center in

Aviation pioneers at a conference, Langley Field, Virginia, USA, May 23, 1934. Eight of the twelve members of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)

Amelia Earhart visits NACA, Virginia, USA, Nov. 5, 1928. Creator: Unknown
Amelia Earhart visits NACA, Virginia, USA, Nov. 5, 1928. American pioneer aviator Earhart on the steps of the Langley Research Building, National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics

A model of the Space Shuttle Orbiter in the 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel, USA, ca. 1978. Testing at the Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia

F-16XL with custom paint, USA, 1993. Creator: NASA
F-16XL with custom paint, USA, 1993. On October 5, 1993, Langley Research Centers F-16XL High Lift jet was rolled out with a dynamic yellow

John Becker with the 11-inch Hypersonic Tunnel, Langley Research Center, Virginia, USA, 1950. American engineer John V. Becker helped lead some of Americas most important early research into

Lunar Landing Research Vehicle, USA, 1963. Creator: NASA
Lunar Landing Research Vehicle, USA, 1963. Lunar Landing Research Vehicle outside NASA hangar at Langley Research Center in Virginia

Lunar Rendezvous Simulator, 1962. Creator: NASA
Lunar Rendezvous Simulator, 1962. The Lunar Rendezvous Simulator at Langley Research Center, Virginia, USA

Wright Apache and pilot, Virginia, USA, 1928. Creator: Unknown
Wright Apache and pilot, Virginia, USA, 1928. A Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory test pilot prepares to fly the Apache to high altitude

Mercury Capsule, 1959. Creator: NASA
On September 9, 1959, NASA launched this unoccupied Mercury spacecraft from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on a suborbital flight that lasted 13 minutes

Force Measuring Unit, Skylab, 1973. Creators: Martin Marietta, NASA
This device was part of the Crew/Vehicle Disturbance experiment flown aboard the Skylab space station launched by the United States in 1973

Piper J-3L50 Cub, USA, April 16, 1942. Creator: Unknown
Piper J-3L50 Cub, USA, April 16, 1942. The Piper J-3 Cub was evaluated at Langley Research Center by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in late 1939 to early 1940

XP-82 (XF-82) Twin Mustang, Langley Research Center, Virginia, USA, 5 May 1951. In the early 1950s, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics used this XP-82 Twin Mustang for its drop-body

Richard Whitcomb with Area Rule Wind Tunnel Model, USA, April 20, 1955. Creator: Unknown
Richard Whitcomb with Area Rule Wind Tunnel Model, USA, April 20, 1955. Aviation pioneer Richard Whitcomb worked at the Langley Research Center in Virginia throughout his exceptionally prolific life

Flying boat construction, Virginia, USA, April 24, 1946. Creator: Unknown
Flying boat construction, Virginia, USA, April 24, 1946. Male and female technicians at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory (now NASAs Langley Research Center)

Apollo Project flight simulator, USA, 1960s. Creator: NASA
Apollo Project flight simulator, USA, 1960s. NASAs Lunar Orbit and Let-Down Approach Simulator (LOLA), a high-tech simulator designed to represent the view an Apollo astronaut would see if they were

Test pilots stand in front of a P-47 Thunderbolt at Langley Research Center, Virginia, 1945

The Visual Motion Simulator mounted on a syngergistic motion base
The Visual Motion Simulator (VMS) is a general-purpose simulator consisting of a two-person cockpit mounted on a six-degree-of-freedom synergistic motion base

Vertol VZ-2 aircraft, 1960 C017 / 7574
Vertol VZ-2 aircraft in flight. Also known as Model 76, this aircraft was a tilt-wing VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft, seen here with NASA and US Army and US Navy markings

Early computers C014 / 0565
Early computers. People working with IBM type 704 electronic data processing machines. Photographed at NASAs Langley Research Center, Virginia, USA, in 1961

Low-boom supersonic aircraft, artwork C016 / 9709
Low-boom supersonic aircraft. Artwork illustrating an aircraft design concept developed by NASA. This is referred to as the Low-Boom Supersonic Test Case

Explorer 24 satellite, 1964
Explorer 24 satellite. This 12-foot (3.66-metre) diameter inflatable sphere (a balloon satellite) was developed at Langley Research Center, Virginia, USA

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Langley Research Center, located in Hampton, Virginia, has been at the forefront of aerospace research and innovation for decades. From drop tests at the Lunar Landing Research Facility to pioneering aviation conferences, Langley has played a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of flight and space exploration. In 1974, NASA conducted a momentous drop test at the Lunar Landing Research Facility. This test aimed to simulate lunar landing conditions and refine spacecraft designs for future missions. The results obtained from this experiment paved the way for successful moon landings. One of Langley's notable achievements came in 1963 with the creation of the Lunar Landing Vehicle. Designed by NASA engineers, this vehicle was instrumental in enabling astronauts to safely explore and navigate on the moon's surface during Apollo missions. The rich history of Langley extends back to its early days as well. In July 1929, Langley Laboratory held its annual picnic at Buckroe Beach in Hampton, Virginia. This event not only fostered camaraderie among staff but also showcased their dedication to scientific advancement. Test pilots and engineers have always been an integral part of Langley's success story. A captivating photograph from 1920 captures one such individual who fearlessly pushed boundaries in aviation research while embodying determination and courage. In May 1934, aviation pioneers gathered at Langley Field for a conference that brought together brilliant minds striving towards technological breakthroughs. These gatherings served as catalysts for collaboration and knowledge exchange that propelled aerospace advancements forward. Renowned aviator Amelia Earhart made her mark on Langley when she visited NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) headquarters in Virginia in November 1928. Her visit symbolized both her own groundbreaking achievements as well as NACA's growing reputation as a hub for cutting-edge research. The Space Shuttle Orbiter model displayed inside the 16-Foot Transonic Tunnel showcases Langley's commitment to developing advanced spacecraft technology.