NASA is reportedly taking a significant step towards turning science fiction into reality with the construction of a new wind tunnel.
According to The Virginian-Pilot, Charles "Mike" Fremaux, the chief engineer for intelligent flight systems at NASA Langley Research Center, believes that technologies such as flying cars and space tourism will soon become a part of our everyday lives.
To ensure the safety of these concepts, NASA Langley is building its first new wind tunnel in over 40 years.
CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - MAY 20: Workers freshen up the paint on the NASA logo on the Vehicle Assembly Building before the arrival of NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley at the Kennedy Space Center on May 20, 2020 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
NASA Replacing 80-Year-Old Wind Tunnels
The NASA Flight Dynamic Research Facility, a project that Fremaux has been working on for 25 years, will replace two smaller wind tunnels that are nearly 80 years old.
The new facility will allow NASA to test and understand how different vehicles react in real-world conditions, particularly those utilizing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology. With the expected increase in private vehicles in the airspace, it is crucial to conduct research to ensure safety and efficiency.
"These facilities are really kind of tailor-made for doing a lot of that work," Fremaux said at a presentation at the Virginia Air & Space Science Center in Hampton on Tuesday. "That's not our traditional wheelhouse. We haven't tested anything with a propeller on it in decades."
The $43.2 million contract to design and construct the 25,000-square-foot facility has been awarded to BL Harbert International, a construction company based in Alabama.
The wind tunnel, expected to open in early 2025, will stand at a height of 130 feet and offer capabilities surpassing those of its predecessors. It will reportedly replace the 20-foot Vertical Spin Tunnel built in 1940, and 12-foot Low-Speed Spin Tunnel built in 1939.
For Future Space Missions
The research conducted at the new facility will not only focus on commercial aviation but will also contribute to space exploration. NASA Langley's wind tunnel will provide experimental support for missions returning from the moon, Mars, Venus, and Saturn's moon, Titan.
It will aid in studying entry, descent, and landing techniques, ultimately advancing the possibility of safe human missions to Mars. The wind tunnel will not only ensure public safety but will also protect the technicians working there.
Audience member Ronald Hermansderfer, a retired technician from NASA Langley, inquired about the launching and retrieval of scale models within the tunnel.
Fremaux assured the audience that skilled technicians would continue to launch models by hand, emphasizing the importance of their expertise. The new system will include a pressure equalization system to enhance safety measures.
The construction of this new wind tunnel marks an exciting milestone in NASA's ongoing efforts to push the boundaries of science and technology. With the advancement of innovative concepts and a renewed focus on space exploration, NASA is at the forefront of transforming science fiction into reality.
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