Lunar Landing Research Facility
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Lunar Landing Research Facility
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| File:Drop Test at Lunar Landing Research Facility - GPN-2000-001287.jpg | |
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The site as the Impact Dynamics Research Facility (1974)
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| Location | Hampton, Virginia |
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| Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Built | 1965 |
| Architect | NASA |
| NRHP Reference # | 85002808 |
| VLR # | 114-0140 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 3, 1985[2] |
| Designated NHL | October 3, 1985[3] |
| Designated VLR | February 18, 1986[1] |
The Lunar Landing Research Facility was an area at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia to simulate Apollo Moon landings with a mock Lunar Module powered by a small rocket motor suspended from a crane over a simulated lunar landscape.
Completed in 1965 at a cost of $3.5 million, Apollo astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and 22 other astronauts used the facility to practice solving piloting problems they would encounter in the last 150 feet of descent to the surface of the Moon.[4]
The structure was used to facilitate "flying" a full-scale Lunar Excursion Module Simulator (LEMS). The LEMS was suspended from a 200-foot (61 m)-tall, 400-foot (120 m)-long A-frame gantry by an overhead bridge crane. The LEMS is now on display at the Virginia Air and Space Center.
Post-Apollo uses
Re-designated the Impact Dynamics Research Facility (IDRF) in 1974, the site was used for research on aircraft crashes until 2003. With limited funding for maintenance, NASA then closed the facility and it was listed for demolition.[4]
In 2004, NASA determined that the IDRF could be adapted to support the Constellation program. It was re-opened in 2005 to conduct landing tests associated with the development of the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) Orion. The facility was renamed the Landing and Impact Research Facility (LandIR) and minor modifications were made, including a new parallel winch system to support full-scale Orion testing and a new hydro-impact basin (splashdown pool) below the gantry. Construction of the basin was completed in 2011. After Constellation was cancelled, the LandIR continued performing impact testing since the CEV will be used to service the International Space Station.[4]
The site is a National Historic Landmark.
References
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<references />, or <references group="..." />External links
- Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms, a National Park Service Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itinerary
- NASA Impact Dynamics Research Facility
- LLRF National Landmark document
- Pages with reference errors
- Pages with broken file links
- Buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in Virginia
- Missions to the Moon
- Apollo program
- National Historic Landmarks in Virginia
- Buildings and structures in Hampton, Virginia
- National Register of Historic Places in Hampton, Virginia
