AI Insight
NASA is opening the Flight Dynamics Research Facility at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, marking the agency's first new wind tunnel construction in over 40 years. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and media tour is scheduled for July 31, with attendance by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and other officials. The state-of-the-art facility will support research and technology development for NASA's aeronautics, exploration, and science missions, including the Artemis lunar program and Moon Base development.
Why it matters
This new wind tunnel represents a significant infrastructure upgrade for U.S. aerospace research capabilities after four decades without new facilities. The facility will enable advanced testing to support both lunar exploration objectives and broader aeronautics research that could benefit commercial and defense aviation applications.
Understand the Science
Media are invited to NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, on Friday, July 31, to attend a media tour and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Flight Dynamics Research Facility, the agency’s first new wind tunnel in more than 40 years.
The event will include a brief media availability with:
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman
- Dr. Trina Dyal, center director, NASA Langley
- Administrator Edward C. Forst, U.S. General Services Administration
This event is in person only and open to members of the media who are United States citizens or lawful permanent residents. Information about timing will be shared closer to the event. NASA’s media accreditation policy is available online.
Media requesting to participate in person must RSVP no later than 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 29. Media RSVPs must be sent to Kimiko Booker, kimiko.s.booker@nasa.gov, and Brittny McGraw, brittny.v.mcgraw@nasa.gov, with the following information:
- Legal first and last names (must match government identification)
- Phone number
- Job title and organization
The wind tunnel opening marks a major milestone in the evolution of NASA and the nation’s aeronautics and space research capabilities. The state-of-the-art facility will support research and technology development that will advance NASA’s aeronautics, exploration, and science goals, including establishing a sustained human presence on the lunar surface through the Artemis program and the development of a Moon Base.
Learn more about the Flight Dynamics Research Facility at:
-end-
Camille Gallo / Rob Margetta
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
camille.m.gallo@nasa.gov / robert.j.margetta@nasa.gov
Kimiko Booker / Brittny McGraw
NASA Langley, Hampton, Va.
757-506-5939 / 757-769-3763
kimiko.s.booker@nasa.gov / brittny.v.mcgraw@nasa.gov
Source: NASA to Showcase Agency’s Newest Wind Tunnel in Virginia