Flight Dynamics Research Facility

AETC Portfolio OfficeHome Aeronautics Research Mission… Flight Dynamics Research… Aerosciences Evaluation and Test… Ground FacilitiesSubsonic Facilities Transonic Facilities Supersonic Facilities Hypersonic Facilities Propulsion Facilities Test Technology AboutLeadership and Team Contact NASA Flight Dynamics Research Facility The Flight Dynamics Research Facility (FDRF) is a 25,000-square-foot highly versatile wind tunnel. The FDRF plays a role in conducting research, development of autonomous flight vehicles, technology, drones, X-planes, and future Moon and Mars mission. Learn more about other NASA Wind Tunnels about Flight Dynamics Research Facility Focus Areas and Capabilities Learn more about the specifications and capabilities of this wind tunnel. Characteristics The FDRF is a large, subsonic wind tunnel with a vertical test section for conducting flight dynamics research for stability, controllability, free-fall and aircraft spin, and spin recovery testing of atmospheric vehicles. Read More on Characteristics Featured Video Flight Engineers Give NASA’s Dragonfly Lift When NASA’s Dragonfly begins full rotorcraft integration and testing in early 2026, the mission team will tap into a trove of data gathered through critical technical trials conducted over the past three years, including, most recently, a testing campaign in at the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT) Facility at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Watch Dragonfly Lift video on YouTube Contact Information Flight Dynamics Research Facility Branch Head: Corey G. Diebler (757) 864-8447 NASA Langley Research Center 1 Nasa Dr. Hampton, VA 23666 (757) 864-1000 Fact Sheet Fact Sheet NASA’s newest wind tunnel launching in Spring 2026. The Flight Dynamics Research Facility (FDRF) will soon be NASA’s newest wind tunnel. 2025: Construction completed in late 2026. The FDRF will be a highly versatile and cost effective vertical wind tunnel for conducting free flight and captive testing on all manner of atmospheric flight vehicles. This new facility will replace the existing 20 Ft. Vertical Spin Tunnel and the 12 Ft Low Speed Tunnel and consolidate their test capabilities into a new, state-of-the-art wind tunnel with significantly greater performance. Read the FDFR Fact Sheet Facebook logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASAes @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Instagram logo @NASA@NASAaero@NASA_es Linkedin logo @NASA Explore More 1 min read Flight Dynamics Research Facility Characteristics Article 18 minutes ago 4 min read Award-Winning NASA Camera Revolutionizes How We See the Invisible Article 4 months ago 4 min read NASA Software Raises Bar for Aircraft Icing Research  Article 6 months ago Keep Exploring Discover More Topics From NASA Missions Humans In Space Solar System Exploration Eyes on the Solar System Explore NASA’s History The post Flight Dynamics Research Facility appeared first on NASA Science.