NASA stands for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.  Over the past four decades, NASA has made exciting space discoveries.

Congress created an organization in 1915, to study the problems of flight and find  solutions.  The agency was called the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.  This agency, NACA, later became NASA.  Its current mission is to improve space technology and to benefit mankind.

NASA is headquartered in Washington, D.C.  NASA's responsibility is to define,  develop, evaluate and report on the progress and performance of their aerospace programs. It also manages and supervises the space flight and research centers.

NASA operates facilities throughout the United States.  These locations specialize in certain aspects of the space program.   Here are some of the most well-known sites and a brief listing of some of their responsibilities.

	Ames Research Center, California is in a lead role in airspace operations systems and rotorcraft technology.   Wind tunnel testing is a major responsibility.
	Dryden Flight Research Center, California is involved in flight research.  It is located at Edwards Air Force Base.
	Johnson Space Center, Texas operates Mission Control and is the main center for development and production of manned spacecraft.
	Kennedy Space Center, Florida is the primary launch location for space vehicles.  It prepares and services the Space Shuttle orbiters.
	Langley Research Center, Virginia develops programs for future high speed transportation.  It also conducts structures and materials research.
	Marshall Space Flight Center, Alabama develops space transportation and conducts gravity research.
	Stennis Space Center, Mississippi works with Shuttle engine and propulsion system testing.
	Goddard Flight Center, Maryland provides spaceflight tracking networks, develops flight missions, and manages the Hubble Space Telescope.
	NASA John H. Glenn Research Center, Ohio is the lead center for aeropropulsion.  It also is the designated center of Excellence in Turbomachinery.

One well-known facility associated with the space program is the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) which is operated by the California Institute of Technology.  This location works on space missions, deep space, and space station activities.

NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field

NASA Glenn was created in 1942 by NACA.  It was the new Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory.  It was one of three such centers in the nation.  In 1947, it became known as the Flight Propulsion Research Laboratory.   The Laboratory assisted industries with their wartime problems and doing futuristic propulsion research.  The Center was  renamed for the late George W. Lewis, the Director of the Aeronautical Research for NACA.  When NACA became NASA, the Center then became known as the NASA Lewis Research Center.

The NASA Lewis Research Center was officially renamed on March 1, 1999.  Its new name, NASA John H. Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field, is dedicated to George W. Lewis and astronaut John H. Glenn, a famous Ohio astronaut.

The Center has over 8 galleries covering 8,000 square feet.  There is an interactive exhibit that features NASA's commercial space communications program and satellite technology.  The most popular exhibit is the Apollo Command Module used on Skylab 3.  The Apollo exhibit also features a   Moon rock and the space suit worn by Jim Lovell.  There is a microgravity laboratory mockup and a launch control center.  Other galleries explore aeronautic research and our solar system.  The NASA Glenn Amateur Radio Club operates a satellite station.   There is also a large video screen for viewing videos about NASA programs and for watching Space Shuttle launches, landings and on-board activities.  The Center is filled with great tours and exhibits!

NASA Glenn is the Lead Center for Aeropropulsion.   Its goal is to develop and share new technologies with U.S. industries.   It does this by creating U.S. civilian and military aircraft propulsion systems that are environmentally safe.   The Center  also researches new high performance aircraft propulsion systems as well as new materials, instruments and controls.

The NASA Glenn Center of Excellence in Turbomachinery helps to develop new turbine engine technology.  It also researches new designs, models, and materials that can help U.S. industries and help future aerospace programs.

Other key roles and responsibilities include commercial communications, general aviation propulsion and microgravity research   programs.  The Center also provides new technology to help in other fields such as computer software, medical research and satellite technology for television transmission.

NASA Glenn has  won awards including a Collier Trophy and an Emmy for its work in the area of television and satellite transmission. In 1966, it won the Invention of the Year award.  NASA Glenn is a leader in research and technology.

NASA Field Centers have contributed not only to space research and technology but they also helped to improve our lives on Earth.  It would be great to be able to visit all NASA's Centers.

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