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Technicians observing a test inside the wind tunnel.
20 Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel with General Aviation Model
Technician Clinton Duncan readies a Hybrid Wing Body model for tests in the NASA Langley spin tunnel in 2012.

20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel

NASA’s 20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel (VST) is the only operational tunnel of its kind in the Western Hemisphere that conducts free-spin research using dynamically scaled, free-flying models.

Learn More About the 20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel about 20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel

Focus Areas and Capabilities

Learn more about the specifications and capabilities of this wind tunnel.

The spinning model is supported in the tunnel by the vertically rising air current.

Characteristics

(VST) is the only operational tunnel of its kind in the Western Hemisphere that conducts free-spin research using dynamically scaled, free-flying mode ls.

Photo showing the NACA 20-Foot free-spinning wind tunnel as well as the NACA 12-foot free-flight wind tunnel.

Facility Benefits

The VST is a closed-throat, annular-return facility that operates at nominal atmospheric conditions, with velocities that can be rapidly adjustable up to 85 ft per sec.

Testing model in 20-Foot Spin Tunnel

Facility Applications

It is the only resource available to commercial aircraft manufacturers for proprietary spin-and-tumble assessments of their products in a wind tunnel environment.

NASA Langley spin tunnel researchers tested a Mercury capsule model in 1959.

Data Acquisition

VST studies identify and quantify spin and spin-recovery characteristics of a given vehicle configuration. Related tumbling research identifies susceptibility to out-of-control pitch auto rotation and strategies for safe recovery.

Contact Information

20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel

Facility Manager: Steve Riddick
(757) 864-5092

NASA Langley Research Center
1 Nasa Dr.
Hampton, VA 23666
(757) 864-1000

Fact Sheet

20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel

Maneuvering aircraft may encounter a dangerous condition known as spin, caused by a sudden loss of lift over wings or control surfaces. NASA’s 20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel (VST) is the only operational tunnel of its kind in the Western Hemisphere that conducts free-spin research using dynamically scaled, free-flying models. The VST is a closed-throat, annular-return facility that operates at nominal atmospheric conditions, with velocities that can be rapidly adjustable up to 85 ft per sec.

Read the 20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel Fact Sheet
Technicians observing a test inside the wind tunnel.
NASA technicians watch a launch abort vehicle test in Langley’s 20-foot vertical spin tunnel.
NASA / Sean Smith