When the United States decided to return to the moon, NASA returned to where the U.S. space program started, near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay in Hampton, Va. NASA's Langley Research Center was the initial home of the first astronauts, the Mercury 7. Now Langley is working to design and test a new launch abort system for the next generation space capsules.

Langley is known for solving the tough problems in air, space and earth science. Its reputation for exceptional research started soon after Langley was established as the United States' first civilian aeronautics laboratory in 1917.

Researchers at Langley focus on some of the biggest technical challenges of our time: global climate change, access to space and revolutionizing airplanes and the air transportation system.

Langley scientists study the atmosphere to improve life here on Earth and to better understand the conditions planes and spacecraft fly through. Langley engineers work on technologies to make civilian and military planers safer, quieter and more efficient, while designing tomorrow's supersonic and even hypersonic aircraft. Langley researchers analyze materials and structures to help spacecraft withstand unforgiving extraterrestrial environments.

NASA Langley's decades of contributions in aerospace, atmospheric sciences and technology commercialization are engineering a better future for all of us. Some of the benefits may surprise you.

When swimwear manufacturer Speedo wanted to develop a new faster swimsuit, it called on NASA Langley's expertise in drag reduction, gained through years of studying aircraft aerodynamics. Fabric tested in a Langley wind tunnel is now being worn by champion swimmers worldwide.

NASA Langley researchers are working to continue the legacy earned over the past 90 years. They are changing the way the world lives.