Multitudes streamed into NASA’s Langley Research Center Saturday, Oct. 21, for its Centennial Open House. It was the first time the center opened its gates to the general public since 2012. Visitors traveled from as far away as New Jersey, Wisconsin, Alabama and Florida to see inside the laboratory, founded July 17, 1917. An estimated 20,000 people toured facilities including Langley’s historic hangar, wind tunnels and the Impact and Landing Research Facility — where Apollo astronauts practiced for the Moon landing. “It was a very successful day,” said Lena Little, open house co-chairman. “We were so excited to get this chance to tell our story and wrap up this amazing centennial celebration.” Lines of visitors stretched down sidewalks as people waited to see inside the National Transonic Facility wind tunnel, the James H. Starnes Jr. Structures and Materials Lab and the center’s Autonomy Incubator. Another popular spot was the Kids Zone where children learned about the planets of our solar system and donned 3D glasses to view a dramatic Mars landscape. “This is such a great idea,” said Mike Zickel of Williamsburg. He was visiting Langley with his wife and their three children — ranging in age from 10 to 14. “Obviously, it’s very popular,” he said, standing in line to meet astronaut Kay Hire, “and we really appreciate it.”
Image credit: NASA/David C. Bowman