Facts

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

NASA Faci1 ities

Each National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) facility has its own special area of responsibility Please refer to the appropriate center for information on a specific topic.
NASA HEADQUARTERS Washington, D.C. 20546
NASA Headquarters formulates policy, coordinates the activities, and controls t h e NASA programs of t h e space flight centers, research centers. a n d other installations which comprise NASA.

JET PROPULSION LABORATORY Pasadena, California 91 103

The J e t Propulsion Laboratory is a research, development, and flight center operated for NASA by the California Institute of Technology. The Laboratory's primary role is the investigation of the planets through the use of automated scientific spacecraft. J e t Propulsion Laboratory is also responsible to NASA for supporting research and advanced development related to flight projects and the design and operation of the Deep Space Network. This network communicates with and commands spacecraft on lunar, interplanetary, and planetar! missions, including the Viking-Mars, Mariner, Voyager, Galileo, and Venus Orbiting Imaging Radar (VOIR)projects.

AMES RESEARCH CENTER Mof-fett Field, California 94035

Ames Research Center conducts laboratory and flight research in space missions and in aeronautics. The fields of space interest include atmosphere entry research, planetary atmospheres ( M a r s and Venus), fundamental physics, materials,. guidance and control, chemistry, and . life sciences. Ames aeronautical research includes the a r e a s of supersonic flight, verticallshort take-off a n d landing (V/STOL)aircraft, and operational problems. As lead Center for helicopter research, Ames provides overall direction to t h e program and conducts research In aeromechanics, which includes technology integration and large-scale testing and simulation. Ames' space flight projects ~ n c l u d e mariagement of sc~entific probes and satellites, and payloads for fllght experlments. Project Pioneer is managed by Ames.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON SPACE CENTER Houston, Texas 77058

The Johnson Space Center tJSC1 is responsible for the design, develop ment and operation of manned spacecraft., which includes t h e develop ment, production, and delivery ofthe Space Shuttle O r b ~ t e r stesting ; of manned spacecraft associated systems; development and ~nt,egratiorj experiments for space flight activities; application of space technology and supporting sc~entific engineering and medical research; thy selection and tralning of astronauts; and operation uf manned space f l ~ g h t s Mission Control for manned space flights 1s at the Johnson Space Center JSC is also responstble for the- ekternal truss, dlstrib uted subsvstemb EVA systems, manned space systems component^ and h a r t j s a r r ln t h e habitar modulr, alrlock, and resuurce node outfit ting of the Space Station

ARC DRYBEM FLIGHT RESEARCH FACILITY Edwards, California 93523

The Dryden Plight Research F a c ~ l ~ t y concerned u ~ t h is manned fllght rnslde and o u t s ~ d et h e atmosphere,, ~ncludinglo..+ speed, supersonic, hyprrsonlc, and reentry f l ~ g h tgerreral ax laTIon, and high-performance , a ~ r c r a f and spacecraft, such a s the F 1 5 Space L ~ h ~ c programs a r e t le typ~fiedby studies such a s flight behavior of Ilfting b o d ~ e s and flight systenis, and structural characteristics of aeronautical and space vehlcles ln biotechriology. man-machine intrgration problems a r e studied. Some of the research a ~ r c r a f prev~ously t testrd a t Dryden ~ n c l u d e the X . 1 . D-558, X - 3 , X-4, X-5, XH 70, and t h r X - 1 5 , w h ~ c h was p~lotedt a world speed and altitude records of 4500 rnph and 350,000 feet. The iipproach and landing tests IALT), d e s ~ g r ~ e d verify the aerodynamics to a n d landing abilit,ies of t,he Space Shuttle Orbiter were conducted a t Dryden, and several of the Orbiter landlngs following Earth-orbital iligbts were made there.

JOHN F. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER 32899 Kennedy Space Center, Flor~da The Nation's first spaceport, t h John F Kennedl Spacr Center (KSC I ~
makes preflight tests, and prppares and launches manned dnd UII manned spare vehlcles for NASA Manned Apollo and Skylab ruls sions, the Apollo-Soyu7 Test Project (ASTP), and Spacr Shuttle nlis s o n s h a t e been launched at KSC. In a d d ~ t ~ o zunmanned planetar, i, and interplanetary mlsslons. and sc~entificmeteorological and con1 m u n ~ c a t i o n s a t e l l ~ t e s r e launched a t KSC Some launches are from a Coast; these a r e conducted by the KSC Western Test h n g r the Pac~fic O p e r a t ~ o n sD ~ v i s ~ oant Lompoc, Cal~fornla. The Space Shuttle is launched I ~ k e convent~onal spacecraft from a KSC (aunch pad, hut, Irke a jetllner, ~t lands on a runway a t KSC or at rhe Dryden F'llght Research Center a t Edwards Air Force Base, C a l l f o r r ~ ~ a

COBDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER Greenbelt, Maryland 28779

The Goddard Space F l ~ g h Center, named for rocket ploneer Ur Robert t H rfoddard, IS responsible for the de\elopment and management of s broad varlety of unmanned Earth-orbiting s a t e l l ~ t eand soundrng rocket experlments Among ~ t major projects a r e orbitlng observa s torlea and Explorer, 'T~ros N ~ m b u s , 4, and Landsat (formerly Earth Resources Technology) satellites. Goddard is the nerve center for the worldwide tracking a n d communications network for both manned and unmanned satellites and t h e hub of the NASA Comrnunicat~or~s Network (NASCOM) for the Space Shuttle. Goddard's responsibilities for the Space S t a t ~ o n program include the Space Station platforms, attacked payload accommodations, robotic servicer, and NASA's role In servicing. Goddard IS also responsible for scientfic instrumentaLion, mission o p e r a t ~ o n sand d a t a reduction of the Space Telescope. ,

LANGLEY RESEARCH CENTER Harnpton, Virginia 23365

Oldest of the NASA centers, Langley has t h e task of providing technology for manned and unmanned exploration of space and for improvem e n t and extension of performance, utility, a n d safety of aircraft. The major technical areas of Langley a r e theoretical and experimental mechanics. dynamics of flight through the entire speed range, f l ~ g h t materials and structures, space mechanics, ~nstrumentation, solid rocket technology, and advanced hypersonic engine research. The Center conceives, develops, and operates simulators for aircraft and spacecraft, and conducts vert~caUshort take-off a n d landing (V/STOL)

f l i ~ h tresearch in structures and materials, and avionics and noise. The Center is charged with overall project management fur-Viking. The Long-Durat~onExposure Facility (LDEF) is a product of the Langley Research Center.

NATIONAL SPACE TECHNOLOGY LABORATORIES NSTL Station, Mississippi 39527

The N a t ~ o n a lSpace Technology Laboratories (NSTL) is the prime NASA installation for static test firing of large rocket engines a n d propulsion systems. In addition, the installation plays a n important role in t h e Nation's space and environmental technology efforts. For the Space shuttle Program, NSTL operates and maintains dedicated Space shuttle facilities used for testing of Space Shuttle main engines and t h e Orbiter main propulsion program. These facilities include a high pressure industrial water facility. emergency power capabilities, high pressure g a s facilities, propellant and cryogenic facilities, meteorological and acoustic facilities, and support laboratories and shops. In terrestrial applications programs, the focus of the installation's capawhich is engaged in bility is in its Earth Resources Laboratory (ERL), remote sensing technology research and development in three interrelated areas: (1) research investigations for improved knowledge and information extraction techniques; (2)research and development of specially designed low-cost, efficient data processing systems; and (3) test and evaluation projects for the application of remote sensing to current resources management requirements.

LEWIS RESEARCH CENTER Cleveland, Ohio 44135

The major missions of Lewis a r e aircraft and rocket propulsion and space power generation. Other fields of investigation include materials and metallurgy, a n d t h e problems in the use of extremely highand low-temperature materials. Other a r e a s of research a r e combustion and direct energy conversion; chemical, nuclear, and electric rocket propulsion systems; advanced turbojet power plants; fuels and lubricants; plasmas and magnetohydrodynamics; aircraft noise reduction; and engine pollution reduction. Lewis also maintains a data bank of research information about aerospace safety. Lewis has technical management of such rocket stages a s the Atlas-Agena. AtlasCentaur, and Thor-Agena. Lewis h a s responsibility for the power system of Space Station.

GEORGE C. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER Huntsville, Alabama 35812

The development, production, and delivery of t h e solid rocket boosters, the external tank, and t h e Orbiter main engines for the Space Shuttle a r e the responsibility of Marshall. Launch vehicles essential to Apollo and other major missions were designed and developed by Marshall scientists and engineers. The Center is also concerned with payloads and experiments for assigned space flight activities. The Spacelab Program Oflice has responsibility for the technical and programmatic monitoring of Spacelab design and development activities in Europe. Alarshall also has overall responsibility for management of the first three Spacelab missions, and project management for the Space Telrscope. .?farshall's Space S t a t ~ o nresponsibilities include the laboran, tory, h a b i t a ~ ~ o and 1og;stics modules; engine elements of the Space Station's propulsion svsttsm; and the resource node structure.

WALLOPS FLIGHT CENTER Wallops Island, Virginia 23337

Wallops Flight Center, located on Virginia's eastern shore, is one of t h e oldest and busiest ranges In the world. Some 300 experiments a r e s e n t aloft each y e a r on vehicles which vary in size from small meteorological rockets to the four-stage Scout with orbital capability. The launches increase knowledge of the upper atmosphere and the space environment. A sizable portion of Wallops' effort is devoted to aeronautical research and development and in exporting this Nation's space technology to the international community.

I b q u e s t s for publications should be directed to tht, Eduratlonal O f f ~ c ta t tht. NASA installat i o n whlch s ~ r v e s y o u r state.

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Write to Ames &search Center Moffett Field, California 94035

Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt. Maryland 20771

Johnson Space Center Houston, Texas 77058 Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville. Alabama 35812 Lewis Research Center

21000 Brookpark Road Cleveland, Ohio 44135

Langley Research Center Langley Station Hampton, Virginia 23365 Kennedy Space Center Kennedy Space Center, Florida 32899