Big Challenges
Bold Solutions
NASA's Langley Research Center
2021 Annual Report

LANGLEY LEADERSHIP

LANGLEY LEADERSHIP

Langley Leadership

From the Director

"No matter the size of the challenge, we succeed when we focus on what unites us. Over and over in 2021, the Langley team stood tall, adapted to tough conditions, and delivered solutions that will shape a better world.

Even physically separated — we remain united. We value inclusion as an enabler to take on big challenges related to atmospheric flight, air quality, climate, and space exploration."

Clayton P. Turner, Center Director

Clayton P. Turner

Center Director

Langley Leadership

From the Deputy Director

"Reaching for the stars is never easy, even in years without a pandemic. As always, the Langley team stepped up and applied their time, talent, and creativity to help us continue to create the future through our essential work in aerospace and science."

Dave Young, Deputy Director

Dave Young

Deputy Director

Langley Leadership

From the Associate Director

"Throughout 2021, our workforce continued to bring their best to ensure we delivered on every mission milestone and center achievement. I am particularly grateful for our mission support teams--often behind the scenes--working tirelessly and collaboratively to ensure that no detail is overlooked. These efforts made the business side of mission success run efficiently and effectively."

Lisa Ziehmann, Associate Director

Lisa Ziehmann

Associate Director

Langley Leadership

From the Associate Director, Technical

"NASA Langley is transforming into a collaboration and innovation hub where ideas and expertise connect to solve problems for the nation and humankind. That evolution accelerated in 2021 thanks to the creativity of an agile Langley workforce. "

Kevin Rivers, Associate Director, Technical

Kevin Rivers

Associate Director, Technical

TOGETHER, WE DISCOVER.

At NASA, people from different backgrounds and communities work to pursue a common vision. Diversity means better solutions and broader impact. Together, we can climb higher.

EXPLORE WITH US.

NASA seeks to explore and inspire. The men and women of Langley share their passion for STEM with a new generation of explorers. We invite everyone to join our quest to shape a better future.

A BETTER WAY TO WORK.

Transformation has evolved beyond a buzzword or temporary initiative. At Langley, it's how we do business. Fresh thinking, new paths lead to faster solutions.

Our Missions

Aeronautics

Fly Everywhere

Researchers at Langley make aviation greener and clear the way for a new era of flight with new vehicles, new markets, and new possibilities.

Photo credit: Joby Aviation

Science

Understand Earth and Beyond

Langley's Science team monitors Earth's vital signs from land, air, and space with a fleet of satellites and a full schedule of rigorous observation campaigns. The team also aids the search for life beyond our home planet.

Space Exploration

Reach to Deep Space

Langley's expert engineers and technicians create the tools and concepts astronauts need to explore our solar system.

STEM Engagement

Explore With Us

Extending STEM opportunities to students from all backgrounds is vital to the future of NASA missions and our nation. At Langley, we find new ways to connect.

Fiscal 2021

3,500

Workforce

$991

Budget (Million)

194

Patents & Inventions

396

Internships

our work

WE REACH FOR NEW HEIGHTS TO REVEAL THE UNKNOWN FOR THE BENEFIT OF HUMANKIND
Click on the photos below to see our progress.

: Indicates Transformation

Vision for Faster Travel
Crossing the continent in half the time will draw us closer together — families, friends, and businesses. One of Langley’s contributions to that goal offers pilots a new kind of vision from the cockpit.

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X-59 QueSST
Better, Safer Drones
A research project named Fit2Fly seeks to improve the way drones are cleared for takeoff — and how they detect mechanical problems while in the air. It would hasten everything from autonomous package delivery to unmanned search and rescue.

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Fit2Fly
Safe to Breathe?
Air quality is a global problem affecting health, agriculture and the economy. Scientists measure pollution from the ground, sky, and space to learn ways to protect the air we breathe.

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Pollution Study
Joy of Discovery
"At NASA, we work hard. We're passionate about what we do. I’ve had a blast — even taking risks every so often. People have given me the opportunity to try something new."
— Marilé Colón Robles, project scientist for NASA's GLOBE Clouds citizen science program

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Langley People
Splash Tests for Safety
Moon and Mars exploration will bring great leaps forward in human knowledge. New technologies developed for these missions — including safe landing concepts — help us achieve more in space and improve life on Earth.

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Orion
At Home At NASA
Students from all backgrounds and communities can imagine a future for themselves at NASA.

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Building Diversity
Wings for Cleaner Flight
The Transonic Truss-Braced Wing's design cuts drag and boosts fuel efficiency. Cleaner flight means a stronger airline industry and a healthier planet.

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Sustainable Aviation
Pulling Together
"We all work together. Every chart, every analysis has a whole team behind it."
— Sarah Waechter, deputy project manager for execution for the Low-Boom Flight Demonstrator project

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Langley People
Our Warming World
NASA's knowledge of Earth's energy budget — how much solar energy Earth absorbs and sheds to space — can help leaders blunt the worst impacts of climate change. A recent study reveals how that balance has shifted in recent years.

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Energy Budget
Material Gains
Advances in materials make solar sails possible for small spacecraft and create potential for a host of new tools here on Earth.

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Solar Sails
The Future Unfolds
Inflatable heat shield technology allows a wider choice of landing locations on distant worlds. It also allows for bigger payloads and lower costs. Researchers used the same heat-shielding materials to create a fire shelter prototype for firefighters battling forest fires.

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Landing Tech
Eyes in the Sky
"I am responsible for making sure that all of the scientific systems that we use … are operational and ready to go."
— Carey Scott, deputy principal investigator for the SCIFLI, or Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery, team.

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Langley People
Ice Breaker
College students gathered at a convention center in September to try fresh ideas for finding frozen water on other worlds.

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Students Compete
Predicting Severe Storms
Extreme weather is costly in terms of dollars and lives. Understanding conditions that create these events can reduce the destruction and keep people safe.

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How Weather Works
Invitation to Inspiration
"I get to be creative and a little goofy, learn more about NASA's projects and know I'm helping educate and inspire kids from all backgrounds to be a part of the NASA family." — Lindsay Thornton, senior education specialist

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Langley People
Open Labs, Open Minds
NASA builds a diverse STEM workforce by bridging the gap between minority-serving universities and NASA research.

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Future Workforce
Tunnel of Tomorrow
To be completed in 2024, Langley’s first new wind tunnel in more than 40 years will replace two existing facilities and cut costs.
(Credit: Image courtesy of Mason & Hanger)

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Construction
Measure of Progress
Langley scientists seek to transform how NASA measures one important factor influencing Earth’s climate.

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Tracking Climate
A New Start with STEM
Young evacuees from Afghanistan learned about NASA’s work in exploration and discovery at an event hosted by the U.S. Army.
Credit: Image courtesy of U.S. Army

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Outreach
Learn as You Go
As NASA's Perseverance rover streaked through the Mars atmosphere, MEDLI2 took notes that will help keep tomorrow’s astronauts safe.

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Safe Arrivals

Show Less

The research shows we have an opportunity using alternative fuels to make immediate changes that could help the planet.
Learn More
Richard Moore
Langley scientist and a contributor to a research paper on alternative jet fuels in the Nature research journal Communications Earth & Environment
This is the launching point for the next phase of a technology that will be critical to enabling human access to Mars.
Learn More
Joe Del Corso
LOFTID project manager at NASA’s Langley Research Center
The magnitude of the increase is unprecedented.
Learn More
Norman Loeb
Langley climate scientist and lead author for the study "Satellite and Ocean Data Reveal Marked Increase in Earth’s Heating Rate."
In one fire, you could actually burn hundreds to thousands of years of stored carbon.
Learn More
Dr. Amber Soja
An associate research fellow and fire expert who works for the National Institute of Aerospace and is resident at NASA’s Langley Research Center.
Constant communication, a dedicated workforce, and leadership support were the keys to my team overcoming COVID challenges in 2021.
Jonathan Ransom
Deputy director for structures and materials in Langley’s Research Directorate
For me, it’s always been about using my abilities to do something bigger than myself that could benefit people all over the world, and NASA's mission embodies that more than any other entity out there.
Learn More
Katelyn Crockett
Langley intern

The research shows we have an opportunity using alternative fuels to make immedidate changes that could help the planet.
Learn More
Richard Moore
Langley scientist and a contributor to a research paper on alternative jet fuels in the Nature research journal Communications Earth & Environment

The research shows we have an opportunity using alternative fuels to make immedidate changes that could help the planet
This is the launching point for the next phase of a technology that will be critical to enabling human access to Mars.
Learn More
Joe Del Corso
LOFTID project manager at NASA’s Langley Research Center

This is the launching point for the next phase of a technology that will be critical to enabling human access to Mars.
The magnitude of the increase is unprecedented.
Learn More
Norman Loeb
Langley climate scientist and lead author for the study "Satellite and Ocean Data Reveal Marked Increase in Earth’s Heating Rate."
In one fire, you could actually burn hundreds to thousands of years of stored carbon.
Learn More
Dr. Amber Soja
An associate research fellow and fire expert who works for the National Institute of Aerospace and is resident at NASA’s Langley Research Center.
Constant communication, a dedicated workforce, and leadership support were the keys to my team overcoming COVID challenges in 2021.
Jonathan Ransom
Deputy director for structures and materials in Langley’s Research Directorate
For me, it’s always been about using my abilities to do something bigger than myself that could benefit people all over the world, and NASA’s mission embodies that more than any other entity out there.
Learn More
Katelyn Crockett
Langley intern