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Before and After

This page contrasts views of the Special Projects Laboratory (SPL) during its years of operation at NASA Glenn Research Center with photographs from its final days in 2017. NASA materials researcher Michael Cuy developed the concept and provided many of the images.

Split photo showing the exterior or the SPL in 1943 and 2017.
Exterior of SPL in 1943 with bicycle in front.
A southward view of the Jet Propulsion Static Laboratory in the summer of 1943.
NASA
The SPL viewed from the north in August 2017.
The Special Projects Laboratory viewed from the north in August 2017.
NASA/Michael Cuy
Exterior of SPL in 1943 with bicycle in front.
A southward view of the Jet Propulsion Static Laboratory in the summer of 1943.
NASA
The SPL viewed from the north in August 2017.
The Special Projects Laboratory viewed from the north in August 2017.
NASA/Michael Cuy

Before and After

Exterior with Bicycle

September 1943 – August 2017

A southward view of the Jet Propulsion Static Laboratory in the summer of 1943; and the same building, renamed the Special Projects Laboratory, from the same view in August 2017.
View from north of the JPSL featuring two new test cells
The Jet Propulsion Static Laboratory with newly added Cells 3 and 4 in September 1945.
NASA
The SPL viewed from the north in August 2017.
The Special Projects Laboratory viewed from the north in August 2017.
NASA/Michael Cuy
View from north of the JPSL featuring two new test cells
The Jet Propulsion Static Laboratory with newly added Cells 3 and 4 in September 1945.
NASA
The SPL viewed from the north in August 2017.
The Special Projects Laboratory viewed from the north in August 2017.
NASA/Michael Cuy

Before and After

View from the North

September 1945 – August 2017

The Jet Propulsion Static Laboratory with newly added Cells 3 and 4 in September 1945; and the same building, renamed the Special Projects Laboratory, viewed from the north in August 2017.
Two men in front of doorway.
Visitors at the Jet Propulsion Static Laboratory front entrance in July 1945.
Boarded up doorway.
Main entrance of the Special Projects Laboratory as seen in November 2017 during demolition.
NASA/Michael Cuy
Two men in front of doorway.
Visitors at the Jet Propulsion Static Laboratory front entrance in July 1945.
Boarded up doorway.
Main entrance of the Special Projects Laboratory as seen in November 2017 during demolition.
NASA/Michael Cuy

Before and After

Main Entrance

July 1945 – November 2017

Visitors at the Jet Propulsion Static Laboratory front entrance in July 1945; and the same entrance of the Special Projects Laboratory as seen in November 2017 during demolition.
Researcher with engine in test cell.
An engine test in Cell in 1973.
Empty test cell.
Researcher with engine in test cell.
An engine test in Cell in 1973.
Empty test cell.

Before and After

Cell No. 1

April 1973 – July 2017

An engine test in Cell No. 1 of the Special Projects Laboratory in 1973; and Cell No. 1 as it appeared immediately prior to demolition in 2017.
Rusting radiator.
Radiator in Special Projects Laboratory office in October 2017.
NASA/Michael Cuy
Rusting radiator.
Radiator in Special Projects Laboratory office in October 2017.
NASA/Michael Cuy

Before and After

Office Radiator

April 1975 – October 2017

Radiator in a Special Projects Laboratory office seen in 1975 and again in October 2017.
Exterior siding being removed.
Removal of siding from the Special Projects Laboratory southern corner in October 2017.
Exterior siding being removed.
Removal of siding from the Special Projects Laboratory southern corner in October 2017.

Before and After

From the South

April 1975 – October 2017

View of the southern corner of the Special Projects Laboratory in 1975; and removal of siding from the same location in October 2017.
Exhaust stack behind test cell.
The Special Projects Laboratory exhaust stack located behind a test cell in 1975.
Deteriorating exhaust stack
Deteriorating Special Projects Laboratory exhaust stack in July 2017.
Exhaust stack behind test cell.
The Special Projects Laboratory exhaust stack located behind a test cell in 1975.
Deteriorating exhaust stack
Deteriorating Special Projects Laboratory exhaust stack in July 2017.

Before and After

Exhaust Stack

April 1975 – July 2017

The Special Projects Laboratory exhaust stack located behind a test cell in 1975, and the stack deterioration as seen in July 2017.

Glenn History and Mitigation

Exterior view of wind tunnel at night.

Glenn Historic Facilities

This collection of webpages documents some of the historic facilities formerly located at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Historic marker with hangar in background.

Glenn Historic Preservation

NASA Glenn has worked with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office to mitigate the loss of some of its historic facilities.

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Collage of historical documents.

Glenn History Office

The NASA Glenn History Office documents the research, facilities, and people who have contributed to the center’s extensive history and manages the Glenn History Collection.

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