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NASA Opens New Flight Dynamics Research Facility in Virginia
NASA opened the Flight Dynamics Research Facility on July 31, 2026, at Langley Research Center in Virginia to test future aircraft, rockets, and space exploration vehicles.
Why it matters
Improved testing capabilities reduce risks for crews returning from space or landing on the Moon and enhance safety for next-generation drones and aircraft.
The details
- The facility reaches top airspeeds of 117 miles per hour.
- It replaces the 20-Foot Vertical Spin Tunnel and 12-Foot Low-Speed Tunnel.
- The building covers 25,000 square feet and includes a vertical wind tunnel.
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Key connections
Flight Dynamics Research Facility is built with Carbon Fiber
Wind tunnel fan blades built with carbon fiber
Flight Dynamics Research Facility is related to Autonomous Flight
Supports research for autonomous flight vehicles
NASA owns Flight Dynamics Research Facility
Operates and owns the Flight Dynamics Research Facility wind tunnel
Trina Dyal leads Langley Research Center
Serves as Director of NASA's Langley Research Center
Edward C. Forst leads U.S. General Services Administration
Serves as Administrator of the GSA
Casey Swails works at NASA
Serves as Deputy Associate Administrator at NASA
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Mike Waller works at BL Harbert International
Vice President of BL Harbert International Federal Division
Amit Kshatriya works at NASA
Serves as Associate Administrator at NASA
Robert 'Bobby' Scott is related to United States
U.S. Representative from Virginia
Ghazala F. Hashmi is related to United States
Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
Jimmy Gray is related to United States
Mayor of Hampton, Virginia
NASA is a partner of U.S. General Services Administration
Partnered to deliver the Flight Dynamics Research Facility
BL Harbert International is a partner of NASA
Constructed the Flight Dynamics Research Facility for NASA
Flight Dynamics Research Facility is related to Langley Research Center
Located at NASA Langley Research Center
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