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This is an aerial photograph of NASA Langley Research Center. Langley's Hypersonic Facilities Complex, comprised of four large vacuum spheres, can be seen in the background.
This is a time-lapse still photograph of night time over the gantry at NASA Langley Research Center. Stars appear to swirl in a circle over the gantry against the dark blue night sky.
This is a photo of NASA Langley Research Center's hangar at dusk.

Langley Research Center

NASA’s Langley Research Center is revolutionizing aviation, expanding our understanding of the Earth’s atmosphere, and developing innovative technology for space exploration.

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Location

Hampton, Virginia

Founded

July 17, 1917

People

3,400+

ACTING Director

Dawn Schaible

See our wonder at work

Discover how NASA Langley Research Center combines inquiry and action to create impact, turning “what if?” into what will be.

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Mission Work at Langley

Langley plays a critical role across all aspects of the NASA’s missions, from concept to splashdown.

Artist illustration of the X-59 in flight over water and land.

Aeronautics Research Directorate

The Aeronautics Research Directorate (ARD) at NASA Langley Research Center advances aviation by developing faster and more efficient vehicles and traffic management systems to overcome current constraints.

This is a photo of a splash test of the Orion capsule at NASA Langley's Hydro Impact Basin.

Engineering Directorate

The Engineering Directorate (ED) provides systems concepts, advanced technology and systems development to support the research and technology development objectives of the Aeronautics Research, Human Exploration and Operations, Science Mission, and Space Technology and Explorations Directorates.

Research Directorate

The Research Directorate (RD) at NASA Langley Research Center provides research and technology development capabilities, serving science and mission needs across all NASA mission directorates.

This is an image of the Langley Aerodrome 8, or LA-8, a distributed electric propulsion, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

Research Services Directorate

The Research Services Directorate at NASA Langley Research Center oversees all manned and unmanned flight operations as well as the flight simulators at NASA Langley Research Center.

This is a photo of North America at night. Light from cities shines in the dark.

Safety Mission Assurance Center

The Office of Safety and Mission Assurance (SMA) at NASA Langley Research Center assures the safety and enhances the success of all NASA activities.

This is a photo of the clouds over Earth taken from space.

Science Directorate 

The Science Directorate (SD) at NASA Langley Research Center provides expertise in the areas of Atmospheric Composition, Air Quality, Earth’s Energy Budget and Lidar Remote Sensing that supports aeronautics, space technology, exploration and Earth science.

This artist's concept depicts astronauts and human habitats on Mars. NASA's Mars 2020 rover will carry a number of technologies that could make Mars safer and easier to explore for humans.

Space Technology and Exploration Directorate

The Space Technology and Exploration Directorate (STED) at NASA Langley Research Center advances science, space technology and exploration through enabling technologies, strategic partnerships and collaborations.

Artist concept of a fully reusable, two-stage-to-orbit space access system.

Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate

The Systems Analysis and Concepts Directorate (SACD) at NASA Langley Research Center supports the future of aeronautics, exploration, space operations, and science by analyzing advanced aerospace system concepts for NASA decision makers and programs.

About Langley

Welcome to NASA's Langley Research Center, the place people come to for solutions to the universe's toughest questions.

Learn More About NASA's First Center about About Langley
A NASA Langley Research Center employee in a space suit greets NASA fans.