From left, Langley’s director, Dave Bowles; Congressman Rob Wittman and researcher Aaron Fuchs in the hypersonic wind tunnel complex. Credits: NASA/Harlan Capen
U.S. Congressman Rob Wittman paid a recent visit to NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, where he toured facilities and was briefed on the center’s work in science, aeronautics and space exploration.
He was also briefed on the center’s budget and plans to ensure Langley continues to have a cutting-edge workforce and research capability.
A view of the facility where in-space assembly technologies are being developed. Credits: NASA/Harlan Capen
“It’s a national asset,” Wittman said of Langley. “It’s strategically critical – an important part of Virginia and what we have to offer the nation.”
The tour included:
- The Flight Mission Support Center for a briefing on an Earth-observing instrument aboard the International Space Station called the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III, or SAGE III.
- Aeronautics work underway to reduce the noise-level of sonic booms on supersonic aircraft so they can be allowed to fly over land in the U.S.
- The In-Space Assembly Lab highlighting Langley’s work with commercial partners to develop technology for assembling structures in space.
- The 8-Foot High-Temperature Tunnel, where Langley is conducting hypersonic research exploring the challenges of very high-speed flight.
Michael Finneran
NASA Langley Research Center