NASA’s Langley Research Center
2024 Annual Report – Our Wonder Changes the World
Wonder With Us
At NASA’s Langley Research Center, we aspire to know more, dig deeper, climb higher and along the way we are asking, “What if?” A simple start to endless possibilities and opportunities. Our inquisitive nature propels us on our mission to reach for new heights and reveal the unknown for the benefit of humankind. We invite you to explore all that NASA Langley has to offer – our amazing people, unique capabilities, and legacy of success.
A Message From NASA Langley’s Leadership
At NASA’s Langley Research Center, we are proud of our world-renowned role in innovating and improving the way we fly, explore, and understand our universe. The passion, dedication, and expertise of our workforce is bringing solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges in Aeronautics, Space Exploration, and Earth Science research. We are honored to share our accomplishments from 2024 and invite you to view the compilation of stories highlighting the amazing work we do.
In 2024, we also celebrated Clayton Turner’s tenure as NASA Langley’s center director. Since 2019, his influence and inspiration have shaped the culture of NASA Langley, and his endless excitement about sharing our mission is evident with anyone he meets. We are deeply appreciative of Clayton’s leadership and look forward to all that is to come in his new role as the Associate Administrator for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.
We invite you to scroll and click your way through NASA Langley Research Center’s 2024 Annual Report. We hope that our wonder will spark your curiosity and imagination!
Dawn Schaible
Acting Director
Dr. Trina Dyal
Deputy Director
Lisa Ziehmann
Associate Director
Kevin Rivers
Associate Director for Technical
Aeronautics – 2024 Highlights
NASA is on a mission to revolutionize air transportation. At NASA Langley, our aeronautics researchers are finding ways to fly that are faster, cheaper, safer, and cleaner. We also build systems that will help autonomous vehicles take on jobs, from moving people and goods to emergency response.
NASA’s X-66 Sustainable Aircraft Model Sails Through First Wind Tests
Wind tunnel tests at NASA Langley are advancing aeronautics research for NASA’s newest X-plane, the X-66. This aircraft will feature fuel-saving technology to usher in a new generation of sustainable aircraft.
NASA Noise Prediction Tool Supports Users in Air Taxi Industry
Research performed at NASA Langley played a key role in the development of a computer software tool that allows the air taxi industries of the future to design efficient and quiet aircraft designs.
NASA, FAA Partner to Develop New Wildland Fire Technologies
NASA Langley researchers are involved in efforts to fight wildland fires with drones. Drones can provide emergency responders with aerial views in times of low visibility, dramatically improving disaster response.
X-59 Debuts
NASA Langley's contributions to the X-59, including the eXternal Vision System and key acoustics research, have been pivotal in the aircraft's development. NASA Langley's research is paving the way for a future in which commercial supersonic air travel is possible for everyone.
Exploration – 2024 Highlights
NASA is exploring the Moon and Mars for the benefit of humanity. At NASA Langley, our experts are creating tools to advance human and robotic exploration.
Robotic Moving ‘Crew’ Preps for Work on Moon
Designed, built, and tested at NASA Langley, this autonomous robotic manipulation system will one day provide NASA with a lunar moving crew.
NASA Next-Generation Solar Sail Boom Technology Ready for Launch
The flexible, lightweight composite booms and sail material developed at NASA Langley are allowing this spacecraft to orbit Earth using the power of the Sun’s photons.
NASA’s Laser Navigation Tech Enables Commercial Lunar Exploration
The precision laser detection and ranging system, created at NASA Langley, worked like a charm when Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lander reached the Moon in February.
Cameras to Capture Interaction Between Blue Ghost and the Moon’s Surface
NASA Langley's SCALPSS, an array of cameras place around the base of a lunar lander to collect imagery during and after descent and touchdown, will help NASA prepare for the future Artemis missions.
Science – 2024 Highlights
NASA is improving life on Earth and solving the mysteries of our home planet. At NASA Langley, scientists are developing instruments, technologies, and techniques that allow us to study and learn more about the air we breathe, our weather, and our climate. But that’s not all, we’re studying the atmospheres of other planets too and so much more!
NASA Returns to Arctic Studying Summer Sea Ice Melt
What happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic, and this new NASA Langley-led mission is working with agency partners and academia to study changes in Arctic sea ice melt and clouds and how it impacts Earth's climate.
New TEMPO Cosmic Data Story Makes Air Quality Data Publicly Available
NASA Langley’s Atmospheric Science Data Center provides community level air quality and pollution measurements from NASA’s TEMPO instrument. Scientists, policymakers, and the public rely on the ASDC for over 1,000 archived satellite data sets focused on Earth’s radiation budget and the air we breathe.
NASA Collaborates in an International Air Quality Study
Utilizing aircraft, satellites, and ground-based instruments, the ASIA-AQ team, led by NASA Langley atmospheric scientists, was the largest air quality campaign to ever collaborate with countries across Asia gathering important measurements to share with government agencies worldwide.
Liftoff! NASA’s Europa Clipper Sails Toward Ocean Moon of Jupiter
NASA Langley was an important testing ground for Europa Clipper’s high-gain antenna, which will beam data back to Earth from the spacecraft.
STEM Engagement – 2024 Highlights
NASA is committed to engaging, inspiring, and attracting future generations of explorers through a broad set of programs, projects, internship opportunities, activities, and products that connect students to NASA’s mission, work, and people. At NASA Langley, we always enjoy sharing a sense of possibility and wonder.
NASA Grants to Engage Students in Quiet Supersonic Community Overflight
NASA Langley has played a critical role in advancing the Quesst mission and as it progresses, grants will help develop education plans for the overflight phase.
Going Back-to-School with NASA Data
The My NASA Data site is managed out of NASA Langley and brings over 50 years of data from Earth-observing satellites into classrooms making NASA science accessible and understandable to students of all ages.
Total Solar Eclipse Enlightens NASA's Next Generation
A NASA Langley intern traveled 1,340 miles to view a total solar eclipse. Here’s what she saw.
Washington State High Schooler Wins 2024 NASA Student Art Contest
A record number of students from across the United States participated in this years NASA student art contest, managed by NASA Langley.
Looking to the Future
Hybrid Electric Aviation of Tomorrow
NASA’s EPFD project is transforming the future of flight by turning hybrid electric propulsion into reality for commercial aviation. Experts from NASA Langley and other NASA centers are collaborating with U.S. industry on ground and flight tests this decade, so you can fly utilizing this technology next decade.
Modular Assembled Radiators for Nuclear Electric Propulsion Vehicles (MARVL)
Langley researchers are developing a nuclear electric propulsion technology that will make mission to Mars faster.
NASA’s Dragonfly
This rotorcraft mission to Saturn's moon Titan underwent critical testing in NASA Langley wind tunnels.
Our People – Images from the Year at NASA’s Langley Research Center
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