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NASA FACT?

Ion propulsion has been under development since the 1950s. Dr. Harold Kaufman, an engineer at NASA Glenn (formerly Lewis), built the first ion engine in 1959.


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Glenn's world-class research is advancing tomorrow's technology. It is the engine that drives NASA's mission and sparks the American economy.
+ NASA Home > Centers > Glenn Home > Research

  FEATURES
 
 Hyperspectral image of algae.
Airplane Monitors Great Lakes Algae
NASA and NOAA fly over the Great Lakes searching for harmful algae blooms.
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 Photo of Sunita Williams working
How to Manage Floating Fluids in Space
Scientists study fluid physics on the space station to improve fuel tanks and other systems for future spacecraft.
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 Students win award
Students Win Siemens Award for Space Station Experiment
High school students win $10,000 in scholarships for work on a space station experiment.
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 Photo of a flame
Smoking Out Space Fires
NASA researchers study smoke particles to improve smoke detectors and help prevent fires in space.
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  RESEARCH
 
 eye screening
Medical Research and Technology
As NASA prepares to send humans on longer journeys to the moon and eventually Mars, NASA Glenn is looking for new and better ways to protect astronaut health.
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 Candle flames
Taming the Flames
Combustion Science is the study of basic and applied research in combustion processes involved with rapid, self-sustaining chemical reactions that release significant amounts of heat.
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 ACTS deployment
A Ground-Air-Space Network
Glenn's space communications program works in partnership with the satellite communications industry and other government agencies to enable new capabilities.
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 GRUVE Lab photo
Making it all Compute
Advanced computing at Glenn includes the design and development new software applications, high-performance computing systems and mission networks and applications.
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 Fluid flow
Going With the Flow
Fluid physics research comprises basic and applied research in fluid mechanics, heat and mass transport, and other physical principles governing the behavior and dynamics of fluid processes.
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 Instrumentation
Everything's Under Control
Glenn develops, designs, and/or improves sensors and instrumentation to acquire reliable data in research and control applications, and control methodologies to improve the performance and safety of turbomachinery and other aerospace systems.
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 High-temperature material
Materials to Enable NASA Missions
Materials research and technology at Glenn focuses advanced aerospace propulsion systems, as well as space lubrication, mechanisms, and applications.
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 Space Station power system
Energizing the Future of Aerospace
Power research, technology, and development at NASA Glenn focuses on a wide range of power needs.
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 Low noise fan engine
Innovating Tomorrow's Engines
Technological revolutions produce propulsion systems that are intelligent, whisper quiet, structurally integral to the vehicle, and clean and lean with near-zero emissions.
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 Electric propulsion test
Going the Distance
Glenn is also developing new space propulsion concepts, like electric propulsion and ion thrusters, that could provide safe, reliable, and affordable trips beyond low Earth orbit and beyond.
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 Aircraft icing
Designing Aircraft to Weather All Conditions
From aircraft to the environment and communications, Glenn studies all aspects of flight to develop safer aircraft and flight techniques.
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 Jet engine
Spinning New Ideas
Turbomachinery research at Glenn develops the technology that enables aircraft engine manufacturers to design advanced turbine engines.
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 Graphic of structural component
Advances in Structures
Structures research and technology results in new components of aeropropulsion, space propulsion turbomachinery, and space power systems.
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  RESOURCES 
 
 Photo of a stack of reports
Research and Technology Reports
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 Library
Glenn Technical Report Server
Service that allows users to search available online technical reports and abstracts.
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Editor: Kathleen Zona
NASA Official: Brian Dunbar
Last Updated: August 29, 2007
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