LANGLEY 2006 

Welcome to NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia.

I hope you’ll enjoy getting acquainted in 

the following pages as we highlight our accomplishments as one of NASA’s 10 field centers. 

We’ve had an exciting time helping further the exploration of space, making new scientific discoveries about our home planet, and conducting breakthrough research in aeronautics to make air travel 

safer and better for us all.

What has made the past year so exciting at

Langley?

We have become an important part of the nation’s 

quest to explore the solar system – NASA’s Vision 

for Space Exploration to the moon, Mars, and beyond. Langley is helping to develop a space shuttle 

replacement system, which includes two launch 

vehicles and the crew capsule known as Orion. As 

part of this effort, we are evaluating designs for a 

launch-abort system that will provide crew escape 

if the vehicle malfunctions during liftoff. We’re 

also helping with designs of Orion’s heat shield and 

landing system – and so much more as you’ll find in 

the Exploration section of this update. 

In aeronautics, Langley is hard at work contributing to NASA initiatives to make air travel safer, 

quieter, and more efficient through a program that 

includes work in fundamental aeronautics, aviation 

safety and airspace systems. An example of this is 

the research being done toward next-generation 

aircraft – such as the blended wing body, a significantly more fuel efficient and environmentally 

friendly design than current airplanes. Langley also 

continues to advance developments in supersonic

and hypersonic flight. Read the Aeronautics section for a more comprehensive review of this effort.

In science, NASA Langley has partnered 

with researchers around the world to 

study Earth from space so we may advance understanding of our home planet. Our newest mission 

was launched in April 2006: the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations 

(CALIPSO). This mission will help us learn more 

about clouds and airborne particles called aerosols 

so that scientists may understand how they affect 

our air quality, weather, and climate. We’re also 

studying the atmospheres on other planets in the 

solar system – such as Mars – so that we can safely 

explore those planets. 

As a key part of our research and development efforts, Langley has formed strategic relationships 

with organizations throughout the private and public sectors. These partnerships and collaborations 

not only help us achieve challenging missions, they 

also enable the commercialization and availability 

– to you – of NASA technologies and services. This 

collaboration also contributes to the economy of 

the region and the nation, a subject touched on in 

the Economic Impact section of this document.

Letting you know about our work here at Langley 

is part of our mission. This update illustrates how 

your tax dollars are being put to use for the benefit 

of all.

Lesa B. Roe

Director

NASA Langley Research Center

C E N T E R D I R E C T O R ’ S M E S S A G E
Exploration Page 4-5

Langley assumes critical roles in the space shuttle return to flight, development of NASA’s Constellation Program, and the Orion crew capsule 

Aeronautics Page 6-7

The Center supports NASA research in

aviation safety, fundamental aeronautics and

future airspace systems, including development 

of next-generation aircraft

Science Page 8-9

Planetary-airplane research, atmosphericsciences studies and development of Earthsensing satellites mark several of Langley’s 

primary accomplishments

Systems Analysis Page 10-11

Langley’s systems analysis experts support 

aeronautics, space exploration, science, and 

space operations by providing critical insight

for informed decision-making

C O N T E N T S

COVER ART: Artist’s conception of Orion Crew Exploration 

Vehicle. INSETS: (Top) blended wing body testing, (Center) 

computer modeling of the CLV, (Bottom) CALIPSO satellite. 

LANGLEY 2006

1

2

3

4
Economic Report Page 18-20

With a 2006 budget of $747 million, Langley 

is a major contributor to the local, state, and

national economies with an output that exceeds 

$2 billion annually

Education & Outreach Page 22-23

Langley’s comprehensive program to inform, 

educate, and inspire many audiences, from 

students and teachers to the general public — 

while preparing for a 400th birthday party

Partnerships Page 12-13

Langley’s innovative partnerships and collaborations with the nation’s public and private

sectors promote widespread commercialization 

and availability of NASA technologies

C O N T E N T S

5

6

7

8

LANGLEY 2006

People of Langley Page 14-15

A statistical snapshot of Langley’s most important resource: engineers, scientists, researchers, 

technicians, analysts, and administrative staff
An Orion Crew Vehicle in lunar Orbit

Image opposite page: Lockheed Martin
Humankind is reaching beyond the planet 

of its birth to the moon, Mars, and the 

outer reaches of the solar system – perhaps even to other star systems. NASA is leading 

the way in making the Vision for Space Exploration attainable.

After the International Space Station is completed 

and the space shuttle retired in 2010, the Vision 

calls for the advancement of American scientific, 

security, and economic interests through a robust 

space-exploration program that will have humans 

return to the moon by 2020 and explore Mars 

sometime thereafter. Explorers won’t have to travel 

such far distances alone, though: specialized robots 

will help, as will advanced computer systems and 

next-generation technologies.

Sending humans to distant worlds requires a new 

generation of rockets and passenger spacecraft. 

NASA’s Constellation Program is already developing the next generation of such craft. The Ares I 

and Ares V launch vehicles will provide the thrust, 

while the Orion crew capsule will be a home in 

space for astronauts.

Returning the Shuttle to Flight

In 2006, the return-to-flight team at Langley 

continued to support the space shuttle program, 

providing critical tools, analysis, and expertise to 

minimize foam loss from the external tank and 

provide real-time assessments of the spacecraft’s 

thermal protection systems. Langley contributions to return to flight include an impact-detection system for the leading edge of the shuttle’s 

wings, methods to repair them in the event of lifethreatening damage, and a new infrared camera 

for astronauts to use during space walks.

Making Exploration a Reality

A Langley team is playing a significant role in the 

Orion crew module, evaluating conceptual designs in 

the Center’s wind tunnels at speeds in excess of 5,000 

mph. Langley is also overseeing the development of 

Orion’s launch-abort system to provide crew escape should a malfunction occur.

In collaboration with NASA Ames Research 

Center in California, Langley is developing the 

Orion heat shield. The shield will be attached to 

the cone-shaped Orion to protect astronauts from 

temperatures that could exceed 4,800 degrees. 

Langley is also leading the development of options 

for Orion’s landing system, and applying design 

and fabrication expertise to 

Orion pad-abort and ascentand-abort flight tests.

In addition, Langley is providing critical expertise to the 

Constellation system integration groups, including teams 

of engineering experts who 

are defining program requirements and integrating the 

systems necessary to make 

this next generation of spaceexploration vehicles a reality.

Getting Ares off the Ground

Langley leads development of the Ares launch system prototype for its first flight test in April 2009, 

managing the integration of all flight hardware elements and delivering the integrated test vehicle 

to NASA Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The 

Langley team is conducting wind tunnel assessments and analyses to define the aerodynamics 

of the Ares I vehicle and to evaluate potential designs.

The Center will conduct structural and thermal 

analyses in the development of the Ares I upper 

stage, and will continue studies to determine alternative approaches for several components. Langley is also assisting NASA Marshall Space Flight 

Center in Alabama with Ares I upper-stage structural and thermal studies, including tests to verify 

engineering models.

LANGLEY 2006

E X P L O R AT I O N

n Shuttle return to flight

n Ares I test flight upper-

 stage studies

n Orion launch-abort

 system

n Constellation system

 integration
 LANGLEY 2006

Fly faster. Fly farther. Fly safer – and not just 

on Earth. At NASA, aeronautics research 

and space exploration are inextricably 

linked; one day, “planetary” aircraft could fly the 

skies of Mars, Venus, Jupiter, and other worlds.

Future aircraft may operate at thousands of miles 

per hour. They will be made to withstand extreme 

heating yet boast quiet, energy-efficient engines 

that don’t pollute and can operate at altitudes 

much higher than today’s aircraft. 

NASA’s New Aeronautics

NASA is focusing its aeronautics research on three primary 

areas: aviation safety, fundamental aeronautics and future 

airspace systems. 

The Center is playing key roles 

in NASA’s fundamental research in materials and structures, aerodynamics, hypersonic and supersonic 

flight, fixed-wing and rotary-wing subsonic flight, 

aviation safety, and transformational air-trafficmanagement technology. 

Together, these activities leverage NASA’s aeronautics core competencies and address the fundamental research needs of the Next Generation 

Air Transportation System (NGATS) for the Joint 

Planning and Development Office (JPDO). 

Next-Generation Innovations

The Center is working with Boeing and the Air 

Force to explore low-speed stability and control 

characteristics of a next-generation aircraft concepts such as the blended wing body, or BWB. A 

BWB would be significantly more fuel efficient 

and environmentally friendly than today’s jets. A 

21-foot model of the BWB, designated the X-48B, 

was tested in Langley’s 30x60-Foot Tunnel in April 

and May 2006. The X-48B will be flight tested at 

NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in California in 2007. 

In 2006, at Langley’s 8-Foot High Temperature 

Tunnel, the Center teamed with Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne and the Air Force to conduct the 

first testing of a closed-loop, fuel-cooled, variable 

geometry hypersonic engine at speeds of Mach 5 

(roughly 3,200 mph).

In 2006, the Airborne Subscale Transport Aircraft 

Research Testbed was developed and flown in support of NASA’s Aviation Safety Program. This remotely piloted, dynamically scaled aircraft enables 

flight validation for high-risk, upset-flight maneuvers in response to damage or environmental 

hazards, while providing a means of assessing the 

reliability of flight-control software to withstand 

and adapt to dangerous flight conditions.

To test advanced concepts and methods for airborne self-separation and spacing to address distributed-architecture research questions posed by 

the JPDO, Langley conducted air-traffic-management research in its Air Traffic Operations Lab in 

partnership with NASA Ames Research Center 

in California, Boeing, MITRE Corp. and United 

Parcel Service.

Decoding Turbulence 

Researchers are also preparing for a flight test from 

NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia to study 

a challenge faced during the Shuttle’s return-toflight in 2005. Researchers want to better understand boundary-layer transition: the point where 

air flow over an aerodynamic surface changes from 

laminar (smooth) to turbulent. 

For those studies, a rocket launched from Wallops 

will fly at Mach 7, or more than 5,300 miles per 

hour. On board instruments will record data on 

the boundary-layer transition. Langley will provide programmatic and engineering support to 

perform the test and analyze the data.

A E R O N A U T I C S

n Aviation Safety

n Fundamental

 aeronautics

n Airspace systems

n Testing and analysis
The blended-wing body model being 

tested in the 30x60-Foot Tunnel.
10 LANGLEY 2006

An artist’s depiction of the CALIPSO

satellite launched in April 2006. satellite launched in April 2006.
LANGLEY 2006 11

S C I E N C E

Talk about the weather and you’re guaranteed a conversation. Do something about the weather and you’ll probably win a Nobel Prize.

At Langley, we seek to understand the measure of 

weather averaged over time: otherwise known as 

climate. We’re partnering with colleagues around 

the world to study Earth from space to better understand how the climate system responds to natural and human-induced changes. And we’re working to improve our predictions of the interactions 

of land, air, and water. 

The Center has a rich heritage of scientific research 

that can be traced to the beginnings of Langley’s 

remote-sensing studies in the 1950s and 60s. In 

the past two decades, we’ve amassed a huge amount 

of data gathered from Earth-observing satellites 

and are applying it to learn more about our home 

planet. We’re also leading several projects that will 

generate new data from airborne and space-based 

measurement techniques to support a variety of atmospheric science and applied science research.

Missions to Earth and Beyond 

Langley’s newest satellite mission – Cloud-Aerosol 

Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations, or CALIPSO – thundered skyward atop a 

Boeing Delta II rocket in April 2006. CALIPSO 

will enable scientists to study how clouds and aerosols form, evolve, interact, and affect Earth’s air 

quality, weather, and climate. In June, CALIPSO 

collected its first data using lidar, an innovative 

laser-based, remote-sensing technique. Data segments are streamed together to paint a picture of 

what a vertical slice of our atmosphere looks like. 

CALIPSO is a collaboration between NASA and 

France’s Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales.

We have also had the opportunity to contribute 

to a number of planetary science research projects. 

Our latest such proposal is known as ARES, or 

the Aerial Regional-scale Environmental Survey of 

Mars. If selected, ARES would fly a science payload on the first aircraft to soar over another planet. Our researchers are actively involved in other 

Mars-related proposals, including an instrument 

called Martian Atmosphere and Dust in the Optical and Radio (MATADOR) and several entry, 

descent, and landing activities.

Sifting Climate Clues

This year, NASA’s Clouds and 

the Earth’s Radiant Energy 

System, or CERES, continued to break new ground in 

data accuracy essential to climate research. The CERES 

team has developed new ways 

to integrate multiple instruments on multiple satellites 

to uncover key relationships 

in the climate system. CERES currently collects measurements from four 

instruments, playing a leading international role 

in studying global climate change from space. 

In February 2006, our researchers were integrally 

involved in writing and releasing the Assessment 

of Stratospheric Aerosol Properties report, the 

most thorough assessment of how small particles interact in our upper atmosphere and affect 

Earth’s climate system. 

In March, Langley scientists participated in the 

first phase of one of the most complex field campaigns ever undertaken in the study of Earth’s 

atmospheric chemistry. The Intercontinental 

Chemical Transport Experiment investigated airpollution flows from Mexico City and Asia, bringing together data from research satellites, aircraft, 

and ground-based instruments to track the pollution plumes and their potential effects on climate 

and human health.

n Climate impacts of

 aerosols and clouds

n A potential aircraft

 survey of Mars

n Clouds and the Earth’s

 Radiant Energy System

n Tracking air-pollution

 flows
12 LANGLEY 2006

S Y S T E M S A N A LY S I S

Bold ventures require bold preparation. The 

more complicated a project or program, 

the greater the need to explore multiple 

options in order to achieve the desired mission 

objective.

At Langley, our systems engineers and analysts are 

helping NASA prepare to return to the moon, explore Mars and conduct missions throughout the 

solar system. Our experts in systems analysis support aeronautics, space exploration, science, and space operations, in providing critical 

insight for informed decisionmaking to achieve mission 

objectives.

What are the possible approaches to meet certain 

mission goals and objectives? 

What systems and technologies are required to enable 

these approaches and what are 

the associated costs and risks? How much should 

we spend on developing new systems and technologies? Questions like these go to the heart of 

Langley’s systems-analysis process.

Exploring Moon, Mars, and Beyond 

Langley’s systems analysts helped to define NASA’s 

Vision for Space Exploration. We also made significant contributions to the Administrator’s 60-Day 

Exploration Systems Architecture Study, leading 

the technology assessment and prioritization that 

defined such systems as the Crew Exploration Vehicle — Orion — and the crew and cargo launch 

vehicles, Ares I and V. 

We are currently playing a leadership role in NASA’s 

Lunar Architecture Study to define lunar-surface 

access approaches, associated systems, and the exploratory science that will be done on the moon. 

We fully anticipate our involvement in similar activities for exploration of Mars and beyond.

Our engineers have also participated in and provided analytical assessment for a congressionally 

mandated study to detect, characterize, and document near-Earth objects like asteroids and meteorites that could pose a global threat.

Planning for 21st Century Air Travel

Langley helped commercial aviation become a reality. In this new millennium, we’re helping the 

nation prepare for a dramatic expansion of jet travel. By 2020, air traffic may grow to three times the 

level of the year 2000.

More people, more aircraft, more flights: that’s a 

snapshot description of what we’re modeling for 

other government agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration.

One of our major accomplishments in 2006 was 

an assessment of the impact of very light jets on 

the nation’s airspace. These aircraft are expected 

to greatly increase in numbers with flights from 

medium and small airports not otherwise served 

by commercial airlines. We also conducted an 

airspace transportation system vulnerability study 

under our Aviation Safety Program.

Our Ultimate Customer

Our ultimate customer is the American citizen. 

By providing reliable analytical information in 

advance of complex, multiyear programs and 

projects, we help decision makers appropriately 

invest taxpayer money. And we also help our colleagues develop and design robust aircraft, spacecraft, and the advanced technologies necessary for 

safest possible air travel and the continued exploration of space.

n Space exploration

 architectures 

n Lunar-surface

 approaches

n Study of the airspace

 transportation system

n Impact of very light jets

 on the airspace
Horizontal lunar lander concept shown 

undocking from the Orion Crew Vehicle. 
14 LANGLEY 2006

Langley licenses a low temperature oxidation catalyst.

Our strategic partners participate in studies at Langley’s Transonic Dynamics Tunnel.

A National Institute of Aerospace student working in the 

Morpheus Lab. NASA technology used in a

NASCAR Air Purifying System.
LANGLEY 2006 15

PA R T N E R S H I P S

Fostering new invention. Transferring innovation from the laboratory to the marketplace. Advancing the nation’s competitiveness. Improving the day-to-day lives of American citizens. 

Educating current and future workforce. 

The Vision for Space Exploration reiterates the direction provided in the National Aeronautics and 

Space Act of 1958 to promote innovative partnerships and commercial collaborations to help accomplish NASA’s challenging mission. NASA will continue to utilize and expand the use of partnerships 

to make available a wider variety of technologies 

and expertise than is available within the agency. 

These partnerships also make NASA-developed 

technologies and services available for commercialization to stimulate economic development that 

can further benefit NASA and the public. 

Technology Transfer

Two of the tools used by NASA for promoting private sector participation are the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology 

Transfer programs. These initiatives accelerate the 

involvement of small, high-tech companies by providing funding for research and development.

The creation and transfer of innovation is a key 

goal of technology transfer at Langley. In the past 

nine years, the Center has averaged more than 150 

inventions per year, resulting in 22 U.S. patents 

and 12 foreign patents annually. These inventions 

span a broad spectrum of aerospace technologies, 

including sensor and instrumentation, materials, 

aircraft innovations, and software. 

Langley has led NASA by averaging eight commercialization licenses per year that return approximately $550,000 in royalties. These licenses have 

led to products that NASA has utilized on critical 

space, exploration and aeronautical programs.

Strategic Partnerships

Langley implements the Agency’s strategy through 

strategic relationships. These relationships extend 

the scope and application of Langley’s competencies in ways that enhance agility and adaptability 

of the contributions to the agency mission. In certain cases, these relationships leverage cost sharing 

and other resources. Strategic relationships include 

partners, suppliers, and customers. 

Langley has established relationships with the National Institute for Aerospace (NIA), and the Research Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering (ROME) master contract. Langley maintains 

relationships with other government agencies and 

departments as well, including 

Army Research Labs, the Air 

Force Research Laboratory, the 

Naval Air Systems Command, 

and the Department of Energy’s Sandia National Laboratories. Langley seeks a balanced 

amount of work for its customers in support of the nation’s 

technological competitiveness.

Work with Others

During 2006, Langley scientists and engineers 

completed more than 100 projects working with, 

partners in other government agencies and industry. The projects spanned NASA’s mission areas of 

space exploration, the emerging commercial space 

sector, space operations, science, and aeronautics 

applications for the civil defense and security sectors. 

Langley has partnered with the Defense Advanced 

Research Projects Agency and the Air Force, for 

example, to investigate novel high temperature 

materials and hypersonic configurations for the 

Force Application and Launch from Continental 

United States (FALCON) program. And when 

NASA Kennedy Space Center and Boeing experienced anomalies in nozzle-gimbal controls on 

the rocket motors of the Delta II Heavy Launch 

Vehicle, Langley partnered with Boeing to apply 

Center expertise in computational methods, flight 

dynamics, controls, and experimental testing in 

Langley’s internationally acclaimed National Transonic Facility. 

n 1243 patents to date 

n Novel technologies

n Applied problem-solving

n Workforce educators
16 LANGLEY 2006

People are NASA Langley Research Center’s 

most important resource. The collective 

contributions from Langley engineers, 

scientists, researchers, technicians, analysts, and 

administrative support staff are all essential to 

achieving mission success.

Although the majority of Langley’s current workforce is permanent, the Center is beginning to 

emphasize the use of term and 

temporary appointments to increase staffing flexibility. These 

time-limited appointments are 

well-suited to projects of a fixed 

duration, enabling Langley to 

adjust skills to meet changing 

mission requirements.

With an active role in NASA’s 

Vision for Space Exploration 

and continuing efforts in aeronautics, systems engineering, 

Earth science research, and systems analysis, the 

future of Langley employment is promising. 

By the Numbers

NASA is recognized as a world-class science and 

engineering agency within the federal government. For its part, Langley is proud to employ 

highly technical, highly educated personnel, with 

57 percent of the Center’s civil service employees 

engaged in engineering, research, and 

scientific fields. Currently, 72 percent of the Langley’s workforce 

has at least a bachelor degree 

and almost 20 percent hold a 

doctoral degree. 

While there are four broad 

categories of occupations at 

the Center, they encompass 

a variety of positions and areas of expertise. For example, 

professional science and engineering positions include aerospace engineers, 

computer engineers, electronics engineers, physical 

scientists, physicists, and mathematicians. 

Professional administrative fields include human 

resources, finance, procurement, information technology, and legal. Engineering technicians and 

electronics technicians account for the majority of 

technician positions, although Langley also has a 

number of quality-assurance specialists and equipment specialists. Clerical positions include secretaries and assistants.

Dedication and Motivation

Striving to hire “the best of the best” continued 

at Langley in 2006, when 48 percent of new hires 

held bachelor degrees and 44 percent held master 

or doctoral degrees. The Center recruits from an 

array of public- and private-sector entities, including colleges and universities, the National Institute 

for Aerospace, industry, business, and Langley’s cooperative-education program. 

Langley’s civil service workforce has an average of 

20.4 years of federal service: the second highest 

within NASA. Personal dedication to NASA’s mission and love of the work being performed appear 

to be key reasons for the continued service. 

In the recent Office of Personnel Management 

Federal Human Capital Survey, 81.5 percent of 

Langley employees “strongly agreed” or “agreed” 

that they liked the kind of work they 

were performing, and 72.6 percent 

“strongly agreed” or “agreed” that 

their work gave them a feeling 

of personal accomplishment. 

Maintaining this high-caliber, 

motivated workforce is essential for Langley as it plays an active role in NASA’s exploration, 

aeronautics, and science research 

and development. 

T H E P E O P L E O F L A N G L E Y

Occupation Distribution

Science &

Engineering

57%

Clerical

4%

Technician

19%

Administrative

20%

n Term and temporary 

 appointments 

n 72% are college

 educated

n More than 40% hold

 master or doctoral

 degrees

n The average length of

 service is 20 years 
LANGLEY 2006 17

Jeffrey Hinkley, left, and Matthew Boyd work on an experiment 

involving active materials. 

Karen Taminger analyzes an aluminum fractured surface using an electronic scanning microscope.

William Kinard with a model of the MISSE experiment that flew on the space shuttle.


20 LANGLEY 2006

E C O N O M I C R E P O R T

S

ince our founding in 1917, Langley has continued to pioneer new frontiers in aeronautics and space research. The Center’s contributions to aerosciences, atmospheric sciences, and 

technology commercialization are improving the 

way the world lives. 

The Center contributes significantly to the local, 

state, and national economies. Langley’s budget in 

fiscal year 2006 was $747 million, which reflects 

an increase from the 2005 fiscal year of $19 million. In addition, the Center 

had 198 active reimbursable 

agreements for work funded by 

others in fiscal year 2006, accounting for an added $48 million – an increase of 41 percent 

over the previous year’s level.

To fulfill our responsibilities 

and achieve our goals, the Center requires a wide range of commodities and expertise that include engineering services, wind tunnel support and maintenance, laboratory testing, 

computer equipment, and the like. Langley utilizes innovative and efficient procurement mechanisms to fulfill this ongoing need for services and 

goods.

As Langley acquires goods and services to perform 

the NASA mission, the direct, indirect, and induced impacts of expenditures affect the economic 

health and development of the local, state, and 

national economies. The dollars spent by Langley 

enhance business development, create jobs, and increase the tax base. 

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

$ 751m $

$864m

$827m

$728m $747m

Aeronautics

Exploration

Science

External Business

Institutional

Support

Cross Agency 

Programs

Space Operations

$ 900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

D O L L A R S I N M I L L I O N S

Includes Langley programs 

funded from other NASA 

Centers

Reimbursable

funding 

$ 293 m

$ 17 m

$ 47 m

$45 m

$ 103 m

$ 105 m

$ 137 m

FY 2006 Research & Development Funding

Langley Funding Level

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

$ 751m $

$864m

$827m

$728m $747m

Aeronautics

Exploration

Science

External Business

Institutional

Support

Cross Agency 

Programs

Space Operations

$ 900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

D O L L A R S I N M I L L I O N S

Includes Langley programs 

funded from other NASA 

Centers

Reimbursable

funding 

$ 293 m

$ 17 m

$ 47 m

$45 m

$ 103 m

$ 105 m

$ 137 m

n Average budget

 $780 million/year

n Diversified portfolio

n Impact on Hampton

 Roads, Virginia

 and nation 
LANGLEY 2006 21

E C O N O M I C R E P O R T

*2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

$2.25 b

$2.47 b $2.61 b

$2.06 b

$2.30 b

$ 2.5

2.0

1.5

1

.5

0

D O L L A R S I N B I L L I O N S

*Fiscal Year

Indirect

2,985

Induced

10,135 Direct

7,529

Economic Impact

In fiscal year 2006, NASA Langley and its related organizations generated a total economic output for the 

nation of approximately $2,265 million, and created 

20,649 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs for research 

professionals, scientists, engineers, and support services. 

The direct economic benefits flow from three primary 

sources that together create the majority of the direct 

economic output. Three sources are direct procurements and expenditures, contractor services, and visitors to Langley.

Direct procurement expenditures at Langley’s Hampton location for labor, operating equipment, supplies, 

and construction by the Center and related organizations totaled $722.0 million in FY 2006. Spending 

by Langley visitors added another $5.4 million, yielding total direct expenditures in the Hampton Roads 

region of $727.5 million. Indirect expenditures added $378 million, and induced expenditures totaled 

$1,160 million.

Taken as a whole, Langley facilities represent an investment in land, buildings and scientific equipment amounting to $2.6 billion that include 788 

acres. As Langley prepares for new missions and 

programs, increasing infrastructure investment, even 

greater regional economic benefits are likely to ensue.

With a 2006 budget of $747 million, NASA Langley 

creates a total economic output for the nation worth 

$2.3 billion and 20,649 jobs.

Langley Economic Impact

*2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

$2.25 b

$2.47 b $2.61 b

$2.06 b

$2.30 b

$ 2.5

2.0

1.5

1

.5

0

D O L L A R S I N B I L L I O N S

*Fiscal Year

Indirect

2,985

Induced

10,135 Direct

7,529

Langley Total Job Creation

Non-Monetary Benefits

Langley supports the welfare of the region, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation in other ways 

that are not easily monetized, enriching quality of life 

and the well-being of the community at large.

NASA Langley scientists and engineers have conceived 

of and helped to put into practice many new scientific 

breakthroughs. Not only has the direct expenditure 

on this work benefited the region and nation, it also 

has spawned numerous commercial activities, many 

in Virginia. In Fiscal year 2006, 

Langley personnel developed ideas 

that led to 109 invention disclosures, 25 patents applications, and 

16 patents issued.

Langley’s employees routinely volunteer their time and knowledge. 

In FY 2006, Langley reached out 

to the general public through its 

speakers bureau, presenting 24,341 individual talks, 

lectures, or speeches to civic organizations, public and 

private schools, area colleges and universities, chambers of commerce, and numerous other non-profit 

organizations.

NASA Langley personnel also bring science and engineering topics alive in K-12 and university classrooms, 

enriching the educational experience for a wide array 

of students. 

By any standard, NASA Langley is an economic engine that enormously benefits the citizens of the region, the commonwealth, and the nation. 

n Economic output 

 exceeds $2B

annually

n 20,649 jobs

n Economic engine
22 LANGLEY 2006

$0 -$1 million

$1-5 million

$5-20 million

+ $20 million

+ $200 million

District of 

Columbia

Key to State

Funding Levels

Ames

Research 

Center

Dryden Flight 

Research Center

Wallops Flight Facility

Langley Research 

Center

Johnson Space 

Center Stennis Space 

Center

Goddard Space Flight Center

Kennedy Space 

Center

Marshall Space 

Flight Center

NASA Headquarters

Glenn Research 

Center

Jet Propulsion 

Laboratory

GA.

S.C.

MD.

N.C.

ARIZ.

HAWAII

N.M.

TEXAS

COLO.

NEB.

OKLA.

ARK.

LA.

MO.

MICH.

PA.

W.VA.

TENN.

MISS. ALA.

KY.

OHIO

VA.

N.Y.

VT.

N.H.

R.I.

CONN.

MASS.

MAINE.

N.J.

DEL.

FLA.

ILL.

IOWA

IND.

KAN.

WYO.

IDAHO

MONT. N.D.

MINN.

WIS. S.D.

WASH.

ORE.

CALIF.

NEV.

UTAH

ALASKA

LANGLEY’S IMPACT ON THE NATION

Top Obligations to Business Contractors:

Sverdrup Technology Inc..................... $ 69.6 m

Science Applications Intl Corp................. 50.6 m

Raytheon STX Corp................................. 29.8 m

Swales Aerospace................................... 19.4 m

GASL Inc................................................. 16.9 m

Air Products & Chem. Inc ........................ 16.8 m

Dominion Virginia Power ........................ 15.1 m

Tessada & Assoc Inc ............................... 14.1 m

Lockheed Martin Gov’t Services............... 9.6 m

Chugach Industries Inc ............................ 6.8 m

Aurora Flight Sciences Corp..................... 6.7 m

Unisys Corp ............................................. 6.4 m

ASRC Management Services Inc .............. 6.2 m

Analytical Mechanics Associates Inc ........ 6.1 m

Praxair Inc ................................................ 4.5 m

Virginia Natural Gas Inc............................. 4.4 m

Four Dimensional Leadership.................... 3.6 m

Mainthia Technologies ............................. 3.1 m

ILC Dover Inc ........................................... 2.7 m

Government Technology Serv Inc ............. 2.4 m

Center For Systems Management Inc....... 2.2 m

Modern Machine & Tool Co Inc................. 2.1 m

Lockheed Martin Corp Aero...................... 2.0 m

Advanced Technologies Inc ...................... 2.0 m

Nextgen Aeronautics Inc .......................... 1.9 m

Top Obligations to Non Profit Institutions:

National Institute of Aerospace ...........$ 27.8 m

• Georgia Tech .....................................2.9 m

• University of Maryland ...................... 1.3 m

• University of Virginia .........................1.3 m

• Virginia Tech .....................................1.2 m

• N.C. State University ........................ 900 k

 • N.C. A&T State University ................. 450 k

Aerospace Corp .......................................5.4 m

Hampton City ..........................................4.7 m

Texas Engineering Experiment Station .....3.5 m

Georgia Tech Research Corp. ..................2.9 m

Institute Advanced Learning & Research . 2.6 m

Virginia Air & Space Center .....................1.7 m

Research Triangle Institute ......................1.5 m 

National Consortium for Aviation Mobility .1.0 m

Clinton-Essex-Warren-

 Washington BOC .................................920 k

Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex .............915 k

Wise County Va. Develop Program............817 k

Old Dominion University

 Research Foundation .......................... 736 k

Total Learning Research Institute .............643 k

Top Obligations to

Educational Institutions:

Glenville State College ......................... $ 3.7 m

Morgan State University.......................... 3.4 m

Princeton University .............................. 2.5 m

Utah State University.............................. 2.4 m

University South Florida ......................... 1.8 m

University Wisconsin Madison ................. 1.1 m

Fairmont State University........................ 1.0 m

City Univ. N.Y. City College....................... 993 k

Hampton University................................. 729 k

University of Colorado Boulder ................ 668 k

College of William & Mary ....................... 578 k

Geographical Distribution Summary 

of Fiscal Year 2006

Photo opposite page: Boeing/Thom Baur
LANGLEY 2006

A image of the CloudSat/Calipso launch.
24 LANGLEY 2006

Teachers in a NASA Explorer Schools Technology Immersion Workshop pose for a photo in a digital-learning lab at Langley.

A visitor pictures herself as a NASA astronaut at the NASA booth during the 

Godspeed Sail tour of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown.

Margaret Pippin and summer interns work on a tropospheric environmental air quality project.

Sharon Bowers, a science teacher detailed to NASA Langley, leads an activity during NASA Explorer Institute training in January 2006.
LANGLEY 2006 25

Four hundred years ago, intrepid explorers set 

foot on North American soil for what would 

become the first permanent English settlement in the New World. As NASA prepares to 

lead the nation in the exploration of space, Langley relies on a comprehensive program to inform, 

educate, and inspire its audiences – from students 

and teachers to the general public.

In 2006, Langley’s Education programs generated 

approximately 3 billion “looks” – people or households reached multiple times – at the work Langley does through outreach and education programs 

and events.

Some 9.5 million people had the opportunity to 

share in the excitement of NASA’s aeronautics 

breakthroughs, its space exploration vision, and its 

Earth-observing missions through state fairs, air 

shows, community events, and museums. Through 

the news media, some 1.8 billion looks were generated at stories in newspapers, magazines, TV, radio 

and the Internet. And another 1.4 billion looks 

were produced through education programs involving students and faculty around the nation.

Prepping for a 400th Birthday Party

Langley is an official partner in the Jamestown 

2007 celebration. As part of the 400th anniversary preparations, the Center participated in the 

Godspeed Sail, using speakers, educational materials, and exhibits to highlight agency activities and 

draw parallels between exploration of yesteryear 

and today. Godspeed visited six major East Coast 

ports, with some 450,000 people attending the 

festivities.

Aero-Space Day

On February 2, 2006, some 80 Langley representatives, aerospace industry leaders, and members 

of professional organizations converged in Richmond for Aero-Space Day. They met with General Assembly members and key Commonwealth 

officials to discuss the importance of aerospace to 

the Commonwealth.

Education at Home and Across the Globe

Other informal education partnerships with Morehead Planetarium, the North Carolina Museum of 

Natural Sciences, and the Colonial Williamsburg 

Foundation helped Langley reach an estimated 

one million people.

Through Langley’s precollege programs, three new 

NASA Explorer School partnership awards were 

competitively selected for three years: four public 

elementary schools in Virginia, and in North and 

South Carolina. Each school 

will receive $17,500 over three 

years for technology development needs. Over 200,000 

students and 1,500 teachers 

were reached in the Center’s 

Aerospace Education Program. Through NASA’s Digital 

Learning Network, Langley 

delivered 260 distance-learning events to schools, informal 

education sites, and conferences across the world. 

A total of 5,750 students and 1,358 educators participated in interactive sessions with Langley subject-matter experts and education specialists. The 

network is managed by Langley and has staff and 

studios at all NASA centers. Across the network, 

1,271 events were presented to nearly 45,000 students and educators.

Robust University Participation

Our higher-education programs supported 165 

students from 70 minority colleges and 41 universities. The National Institute of Aerospace, the 

University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Bennett College partnered in conjunction with Langley to host the 10th Annual Pre-Service Teacher 

Conference. Participants came from 30 states, including the District of Columbia, and consisted 

of 493 students, 83 faculty members and 38 ambassadors from 76 colleges and universities. The 

Center also welcomed Oak Ridge Association of 

Universities as the new manager of NASA’s Postdoctoral Program.

n 3 billion reached

n Exhibits, events, and

 informal education

n Distance learning

n K-12, higher

 education 

E D U C AT I O N & O U T R E A C H 
26 LANGLEY 2006

The NESC mission is to perform 

independent testing, analysis, and 

assessments of NASA’s high-risk 

projects to ensure safety and mission success. The NESC engages 

proactively to help NASA avoid 

problems and is a strong, Agencywide technical resource that offers 

a forum for reporting technical issues and contributing alternative 

viewpoints for high-risk NASA 

programs. For each technical assessment that is conducted, NESC 

accesses a ready group of engineering experts – called Super Problem 

Resolution Teams (SPRTs) – from 

15 technical discipline areas.

The NESC is funded by the Office of 

the Chief Engineer and is comprised 

of technical experts from each NASA 

center, industry and academia. The 

NESC management office is at Langley. Langley employees have been 

instrumental in the NESC’s success 

by providing expertise to the SPRTs 

and assessment teams. In addition, 

the NESC has utilized Langley’s 

facilities to complete a number of 

critical independent tests and analyses. For example, Langley played an 

important role in the NESC’s assessment of: shuttle external tank 

debris transport, Crew Exploration 

Vehicle water-vs.-land landing risks, 

CEV smart buyer, Atlas V tank failure investigation and stress analysis, 

Delta II tank investigation and the 

Langley 8-Foot High Temperature 

Tunnel oxygen storage pressure vessel inspection requirements.

NASA Engineering and Safety Center

Independent Program Assessment Office

The Independent Program Assessment 

Office, at Langley, provides independent, unbiased information and findings to NASA decision makers. The 

IPAO mandate is to assess newly proposed and ongoing programs and projects to provide an objective advisory to 

mission directorates and the NASA 

Program Management Council. 

In 2006, among several other significant changes, IPAO improved the independent review procedures to assure 

mission success by emphasizing presite review preparation by the review 

teams, strengthened member commitments to thorough vetting of issues, 

and developed independent cost-estimate validation by the technical team 

members. 

IPAO also completed a number of 

program implementation reviews, 

and identified several program management issues which led to improvements in NASA program management 

and execution. 

Also IPAO completed reviews on such 

programs and projects as Mars Science Laboratory, James Webb Space 

Telescope, Lunar Robot Orbiter and 

the Robotic Lunar Exploration Programs, and the Ocean Surface Topography Mission. 

Through these reviews, IPAO made 

several recommendations to enhance 

mission success, ranging from improvements to entry, descent, and landing, 

to the addition of redundancy to the 

cruise stage and select hardware, to 

implementation of vigorous risk management process, and finalization of 

clear requirements and success criteria. 

IPAO also recommended program rebaselining with an adequate financial 

reserve and implementation of test-asyou-fly mitigation strategies.

NESC researchers work on a special-purpose combined-loads testing machine at Langley.

LaRC/Jeff Caplan

A G E N C Y F U N C T I O N S
LANGLEY 2006 27

The Exploration Technology Development Program 

A G E N C Y P R O G R A M S

Execution of the Vision for Space Exploration will require development of both transportation elements, including Orion, Ares I and 

Ares V, and lunar and planetary surface systems. The Vision’s success 

will require sustained and focused 

investments in surface systems and 

advanced crew vehicle systems. The 

Exploration Technology Development Program (ETDP), within the 

Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) is developing advanced technologies to pursue these 

systems. Langley has been assigned 

the role of overall management of 

the ETDP and consequently maintains the Exploration Technology 

Program Office (ETDPO). Rigorous project management, including 

documented project expectations, 

earned-value management, and 

strict costing control, is applied to 

the technology projects to ensure 

that the investments are relevant to 

Constellation needs. With a rich 

history of developing relevant technologies and experienced program 

and project managers, Langley has 

the unique combination of skills to 

ensure that the program is successful 

and meets its objectives.

Science Support Office

The Science Support Office (SSO) at Langley supports the Science 

Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in the acquisition of Earth 

and space science missions and instruments. The SSO was initially 

established at Langley in 1996 to 

support the Explorer, Discovery, and 

Solar Terrestrial Probes programs. 

Today, the SSO also supports the 

New Frontiers, Living With a Star, 

Mars Exploration, and Earth System 

Science Pathfinder programs. The 

SSO assists these programs during 

the development of Announcement 

of Opportunity (AO) solicitations 

and the technical, management, 

and cost evaluations of proposals 

received in response to the AO solicitations. The SSO additionally 

has responsibility for special studies, 

assessments, and reviews for Science 

Mission Directorate.

The image above illustrates the complex interaction between the Earth and the sun. 

NASA/JPL/CTEC
28 LANGLEY 2006

L A N G L E Y ’ S V I S I T O R C E N T E R

The Virginia Air & Space Center (VASC) is 

a nationally recognized, non-profit science 

center in Hampton, Virginia that serves as 

the official visitor center for NASA Langley. It is 

the permanent home for the Apollo 12 Command 

Module, lunar geologic samples, and an impressive 

collection of more than a dozen historic aircraft

The facility, partially funded by Langley, also 

boasts a five-story IMAX‚ 3D Theater that extends 

the visitor’s experience with a 

variety of compelling and educational giant-screen films, like 

Space Station 3D and Roving 

Mars, that chronicle NASA’s 

exploration initiatives. 

Supporting NASA’s

mission

The VASC features extensive 

aviation and aerospace exhibits 

that explore Langley’s role in 

all aspects of NASA’s mission 

and Vision for Space Exploration, from aeronautics and science to future missions to the moon, Mars and beyond. 

The center also serves as a unique setting for meetings and receptions. It has been host to numerous 

NASA and community functions, most recently 

a public lecture by NASA Administrator Michael 

Griffin.

Since its opening in 1990, the VASC has nearly 

1.5 million students with high-quality, interactive 

educational programming that encourages children to pursue careers in math, science and technology. Many students are considered at-risk, and 

through assistance from the space center, they are 

afforded many exciting educational opportunities 

not available elsewhere.

The VASC has grown from a regional air and space 

museum to a world-class, science center. A recent 

expansion resulted in the Adventures of Flight 

aviation gallery, which spans 100 years of aviation 

history from the origins of flight to the future of 

flight. The gallery provides innovative, stimulating 

educational experiences for visitors, more teaching 

spaces for student groups and teacher workshops, 

and enhances the facility’s role as visitor center for 

Langley. 

A New Space Gallery

In a new initiative, the VASC is upgrading its Space 

Gallery. Over half-a-million cubic feet of existing 

space is being developed into a state-of-the-art exhibition gallery focusing on NASA technologies 

and space science through interactive exhibits and 

stories of human ingenuity. Key concepts that will 

be presented in the new Space Gallery are: Human Spaceflight – Living and Working in Space, 

Unmanned Space Exploration, Rockets and Satellites, Visions of Spaceflight, NASA Spin-off Technologies, and Weather. 

The Space Gallery exhibit upgrade will also include 

educational program enhancements like a new 

Digital Discovery Lab that will promote NASA 

technology. The new Space Gallery is scheduled to 

open in the spring of 2007 and will embody the 

spirit of exploration coinciding with the VASC’s 

15th anniversary and Jamestown Virginia’s 400th 

anniversary celebrations. 

The VASC Strategic Plan 2010 outlines seven key 

results that will guide growth and direction over 

the next five years. It also resulted in a new mission statement: to educate, entertain and inspire 

explorers of all ages, which reflects NASA’s vision, 

mission and core values. 

For more information about the Virginia Air & 

Space Center, go to http://www.vasc.org

n Langley’s official

 visitor center

n 1.5 million students

 served

n IMAX Theater

n New space and

 aeronautics exhibit

 galleries
LANGLEY 2006 29

Dr. Robert Braun, a professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology, talks to students about the Mars exhibit.

The Virginia Air & Space Center in Hampton is the official visitor center for Langley Research Center. 

A young visitor explores the center’s new Space Gallery Exhibit.

PHOTOS/VASC
30 LANGLEY 2006

R E C O G N I T I O N S & AW A R D S

n Dr. Bruce Wielicki has been awarded the 

Presidential Rank of Meritorious Senior 

Professional.

n Dr. Peter A. Gnoffo received the Presidential Rank of Meritorious Senior Professional 

from the President of the United States. 

n NASA Langley Research Center Director Ms. Lesa B. Roe, Deputy Director Mr. 

Stephen G. Jurczyk and Director of Systems 

Analysis and Concepts Dr. Ajay Kumar 

have been awarded the Presidential Rank of 

Meritorious Executive.

n Mr. Howard J. Lewis received the Federal 

Aviation Professional Award (Managerial 

Category) from the 

U.S. General Services 

Administration.

n Mr. Frank E. Batts 

was confirmed by the 

U.S. Senate for promotion to the rank 

of Brigadier General 

in the Virginia Army 

National Guard. 

n Mr. Jonathan B. Ransom received Emerald Honors Award for career achievement 

from Science Spectrum Magazine.

n Dr. Yongxiang Hu received the prestigious 

Inaba Prize at the 23rd International Laser 

Radar Conference 

n Dr. Martin G. Mlynczak received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Missouri Physics Department.

n Dr. Robert Tolson, retired, was inducted 

into Virginia Tech’s Academy of Engineering 

Excellence.

n Dr. Stephen A. Rizzi received an Outstanding Aerospace Engineer Award from 

the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 

Purdue University.

n Mr. Samuel A. Harvey received an 

Auxiliary Police Officer Service Award for 

outstanding service to law enforcement 

from the Newport News (Virginia) Police 

Department.

n Mr. Thomas J. Horvath was named 

the National Engineer of the Year by the 

American Institute of Aeronautics and 

Astronautics.

n Dr. Thomas F. Brooks was named Fellow 

of the American Institute of Aeronautics and 

Astronautics.

n Dr. Edward H. Glaessgen was named 

Associate Fellow of the American Institute of 

Aeronautics and Astronautics.

n Dr. John T. Wang was named Associate 

Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

n Mr. Roger A. Hathaway received the 2006 

Educator Technical Achiever of the Year 

from The National Technical Association. 

n Dr. Joycelyn S. Harrison received the 

Technology All-Star Award from the National Women of Color Technology Awards 

Conference.

n Ms. Anna McGowan received the 2006 

Award for Technical Innovation Government from the National Women of Color 

Technology Awards Conference.

n The late Mr. Jack Reeder, former National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics 

(NASA’s forerunner) research pilot, was 

inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of 

Fame.

n The technical paper “Synthetic Vision 

Enhanced Surface Operations and Flight 

Procedures Rehearsal Tool,” was named the 

2006 Best Paper by the SPIE Defense and 

Security Symposium. Mr. Jarvis J. Arthur 

III, Dr. Lawrence J. Prinzel III, Mr. Steve 

P. Williams, and Ms. Lynda J. Kramer of 

NASA Langley authored the paper.

n The Chemically-Reconstituted Ferritin 

Bionanobattery Team received the 2005 

Nanotech Briefs Nano 50 TM Award. Dr. 

Sang H. Choi, Mr. James R. Elliott Jr., Mr. 

Glen C. King of NASA Langley and Dr. 

Sang-Hyon Chu and Dr. Jae-Woo Kim of 

the National Institute of Aerospace, and Dr. 

Yeonjoon Park of the Science and Technology Corporation were the team members.

n The technical paper “Visualization of a 

Capsule Entry Vehicle Reaction-Control 

System Thruster” was named the 2006 Best 

Paper by the AIAA Aerodynamic Measurement Technology Technical Committee. Dr. 

Paul M. Danehy, Ms. Jennifer A. Wilkes, 

Mr. Gregory J. Brauckmann, Mr. David W. 

Alderfer, Mr. Stephen B. Jones of NASA 

Langley and D. Patry of Swales Aerospace 

authored the paper. Brigadier General

Frank E. Batts

Dr. Stanley E. Woodard, Dr. Qamar A. Shams, and Mr. Bryant Taylor received an R&D 100 Award 

for their Magnetic Field Response Measurement Acquisition System from R&D Magazine. 

LaRC/Jeff Caplan
LANGLEY 2006

31

ARES is a proposed Mars Scout mission to study 

the atmosphere, surface, and interior of Mars.

ARES is a proposed Mars Scout mission to study 

the atmosphere, surface, and interior of Mars.
32 LANGLEY 2006

Testing an aircraft model in the Transonic

Dynamics Tunnel at Langley.
LANGLEY 2006 33

S E N I O R L E A D E R S H I P T E A M

Lesa B. Roe

Director 

Cynthia C. Lee

Chief of Staff

Douglas L. Dwoyer

Associate Director 

for Operations

Stephen G. Jurczyk

Deputy Director

N A S A L a n g l e y R e s e a r c h C e n t e r

O f f i c e o f S t r a t e g i c C o m m u n i c a t i o n s a n d E d u c a t i o n

7 5 7 8 6 4 - 6 3 0 0

G o v e r n m e n t R e l a t i o n s

7 5 7 8 6 4 - 2 5 0 5

D o i n g B u s i n e s s w i t h L a n g l e y 

7 5 7 8 6 4 - 3 0 0 0

P u b l i c I n q u i r i e s

p u b l i c - i n q u i r i e s @ l a r c . n a s a . g o v

H O W T O C O N TA C T U S
34 LANGLEY 2006

L O O K I N G F O R W A R D

Now that you’ve had a chance to see what 

we do at NASA Langley Research Center, I hope you agree it’s quite an exciting place. I deeply believe that what we do enriches 

all Americans, from the joy of learning, to finding 

ways to improve the lives of people everywhere, to 

the economic benefit that research and development provides to the nation.

We look forward to the return of humans to the 

moon and the exploration of Mars and beyond. 

We are excited by the prospect of providing critical information to our country’s leaders so they 

can make the decisions necessary to preserve and 

protect Earth. And as for improving the safety and 

efficiency of air travel – that’s something we can all 

relate to, every time we board an airplane.

We’ll continue our tradition of excellence in applied engineering. Our experts in structures, materials and other disciplines in the aerospace sciences, along with the NASA Engineering and Safety 

Center that is hosted at Langley, helped return the 

space shuttle to flight after the Columbia accident. 

A project team in residence at Langley is managing 

the Orion capsule launch-abort system, which is 

slated for tests beginning in 2008. Others at Langley are evaluating designs of the Orion’s landing system, with vertical drop tests using a half-scale crew

module. Still more are conducting wind tunnel 

tests of the Ares 1 Crew Launch Vehicle to evaluate 

the launch vehicle stack.

This is often difficult and tedious work, but our scientists and engineers love what they do. There is an 

exhilaration that comes with successful accomplishment, as in the record-breaking hypersonic flight of 

the X-43A, or the development of a new satellite 

capability, like the CALIPSO lidar instrument.

With the continuing support of Congress and the 

American people, NASA, Langley, and the agency’s 

other field centers will advance the exploration of 

space, the study of our planet, and the safety and 

efficiency of air travel. I thank you for that support 

and your continuing interest. With your help, I 

look forward to continuing our critical work in the 

years ahead – and in the decades to come. 

As I mentioned in the Introduction, we at NASA 

and Langley continually strive to inform you about 

our activities ... which is a way of saying, I’ll keep 

you regularly informed of our projects, programs 

and progress.

Share our excitement about the NASA Mission and 

Langley’s role in this historic endeavour.

Lesa B. Roe

Director

NASA Langley Research Center

December, 2006