NASA Glenn Research Center is one of NASA’s top research hubs, focusing on propulsion systems and aerospace tech. You’ll find it in Cleveland, Ohio, where teams push boundaries in aviation and space exploration with some pretty advanced research and testing.
At NASA Glenn, engineers and scientists design, build, and test new technology to transform air travel and push space exploration forward. The center’s been around for more than 80 years, and it’s earned a solid reputation as a leader in aerospace research.
You’ll see Glenn focus on propulsion systems, power and energy tech, and materials research. Teams here work on everything from jet engines to spacecraft propulsion. Their research has a direct impact on how safe and efficient commercial aviation can be.
Glenn also digs into space tech development. They come up with life support systems, power gear, and advanced materials that help NASA missions succeed. These breakthroughs support both robotic and human spaceflight.
Thousands of people work at Glenn—scientists, engineers, support staff, you name it. You’ll find experts in aerodynamics, materials science, and propulsion engineering. Their combined skills push new tech that’s useful for aerospace and even everyday life.
NASA Glenn runs two main spots in Ohio. The main campus sits at 21000 Brookpark Road in Cleveland, while the Neil Armstrong Test Facility is up in Sandusky.
The Cleveland campus covers a big chunk of land right by Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. That location makes it easy to run flight tests, since the airport is right there. It’s a pretty smooth setup for research aircraft.
Key facilities at the Cleveland site include:
The Sandusky facility is more about big testing equipment. There, teams test spacecraft parts under extreme conditions. They can even simulate space environments to make sure equipment is up for the job.
Both places offer virtual tours for anyone curious. These tours highlight what the center does and show off some of the ongoing research. Honestly, the facilities are among the most advanced you’ll see in the U.S.
Glenn Research Center really stands out in NASA’s lineup. It’s the main spot for propulsion and power systems research—which means just about every NASA mission leans on Glenn’s work.
With over 80 years behind it, Glenn’s history is packed with innovation. From early jet engines to today’s spacecraft propulsion, the center keeps delivering new tech. It’s a big reason American aerospace stays ahead.
Glenn’s research helps NASA’s commercial crew program and space exploration projects. Their propulsion know-how lets private companies build reliable spacecraft. This teamwork is speeding up commercial space tourism and transport.
Being in Cleveland brings its own perks. Ohio’s manufacturing and skilled labor make a difference for Glenn’s mission. Plus, the Great Lakes Science Center has the NASA Glenn Visitor Center—one of just 11 official NASA visitor centers.
Glenn’s impact goes beyond space. The research here makes commercial aviation safer and more efficient. These technologies really do shape how Americans travel.
NASA Glenn Research Center’s name has changed four times since 1941, each time reflecting shifts in focus or honoring key figures in aviation. The place started as a NACA engine lab and grew into one of NASA’s top research centers.
The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) set up what would become NASA Glenn in 1941. NACA had been organizing U.S. aviation research since 1915 and ran the Langley lab in Virginia since 1920.
In the late 1930s, NACA saw the need to expand, especially to keep up with Europe’s aviation advances. They looked at 72 possible sites before picking 200 acres next to Cleveland Municipal Airport in November 1940.
Construction kicked off in January 1941, focusing on aircraft propulsion research. That focus made the Cleveland facility stand out in NACA’s network.
The center first opened as the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory (AERL) in 1941. They ran the first test in May 1942, right as the U.S. entered World War II.
During the war, AERL worked on improving piston engines for military planes. Researchers tested engine parts, ran full-scale evaluations, and did flight tests to boost cooling and supercharger performance.
They also broke ground by testing the first American turbojet and ramjet engines in the Altitude Wind Tunnel. After WWII, the focus shifted to jet propulsion and high-speed flight.
By 1947, NACA renamed it the Flight Propulsion Research Laboratory—a name that better fit its broader mission.
When NASA formed in 1958, the Cleveland lab became the Lewis Research Center on October 1. The name honored George W. Lewis, NACA’s Director of Aeronautical Research from 1924 to 1947.
Lewis pushed for the Cleveland lab and steered NACA’s research during key years for aviation. Under him, NACA grew from a small group to a major research force.
The Lewis Research Center name stuck for 41 years. The center played a part in Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs. Teams there built up expertise in rocket propulsion, space power, and advanced materials.
In 1998, Ohio politicians pushed to rename the center after astronaut John Glenn. Glenn had just flown on Space Shuttle Discovery at 77, making him the oldest person in space.
The facility officially became the NASA John H. Glenn Research Center in March 1999. Glenn, born in Ohio, represented the state as a U.S. Senator from 1974 to 1999.
At the renaming ceremony, they unveiled a mosaic showing the NASA Glenn Hangar’s new name, along with nods to the center’s history and diverse workforce.
The main Cleveland campus still goes by Lewis Field, and the Armstrong Test Facility operates at the old Plum Brook Station in Sandusky.
NASA Glenn Research Center runs some of the most advanced testing facilities around. These buildings support both space missions and commercial aerospace work. Inside, you’ll find equipment for propulsion research, aircraft testing, and checking out new space tech.
The Engine Research Building is one of Glenn’s biggest assets for propulsion development. This huge structure has test cells where teams can put jet engines and rocket systems through their paces.
The ERB includes several engine test bays, each loaded with thrust measurement gear and environmental controls. They can mimic high altitudes and extreme temps, just like real flight conditions.
Research teams use this building’s tools to gather data on both military and commercial engines. The ERB helps develop next-gen propulsion, even hybrid systems for space tourism vehicles.
Engineers can test everything from small prototypes to full-size commercial engines. The building has specialized fuel setups, exhaust gear, and safety monitoring all built in.
Glenn’s old-school aircraft hangar is home base for flight research and aircraft maintenance. Built in 1941, it’s the first structure the center finished, and you can spot it from Cleveland Hopkins Airport.
The hangar houses unique research planes used for atmospheric tests and tech validation. These aircraft carry gear to collect data on engine performance, aerodynamics, and flight systems at different altitudes.
Maintenance crews use the workshop areas to tweak planes for each mission. There are equipment bays where techs install custom instruments and experimental parts.
The big open space lets teams work on several planes at once. Right now, operations support the Artemis lunar program and work on urban air mobility vehicles like air taxis.
Across the Cleveland campus, Glenn runs wind tunnels, drop towers, and vacuum chambers. The new Aerospace Communications Facility brings together over 80 researchers from seven buildings into a modern, 54,000-square-foot space.
Wind tunnels let teams test aircraft models and spacecraft parts with controlled airflow. These tunnels can hit speeds from subsonic right up to hypersonic, so they cover a lot of ground.
Drop towers create microgravity environments for materials and fluid experiments. Scientists test equipment meant for space, where gravity just isn’t a thing.
Vacuum chambers take out the air and crank the temperature up or down to mimic space. These chambers test spacecraft components and life support systems before they ever leave Earth.
NASA Glenn Research Center grew beyond Cleveland with Plum Brook Station—a massive, 6,400-acre remote test site about 50 miles west in Sandusky, Ohio. This spot started as a WWII ordnance plant, then shifted to space propulsion research, and now it’s the Neil Armstrong Test Facility backing today’s commercial space efforts.
NACA set up Plum Brook Station in 1955 on old military land. After a multi-state search for a remote test site, they picked Sandusky.
NACA first leased 500 acres from the Plum Brook Ordnance Works to build the Plum Brook Reactor Facility. In 1958, they expanded by leasing another 2,725 acres for rocket testing.
Key milestones:
The site needed a lot of infrastructure work. Crews built maintenance shops, power stations, chemistry labs, and two water intakes on Lake Erie. Rail lines connected Plum Brook to Cleveland.
By 1961, a few hundred employees worked at Plum Brook full-time. The site ran as a service hub: Cleveland teams designed test programs, and Sandusky staff set up facilities and collected the data.
In the 1960s, Plum Brook Station became NASA’s main test ground for nuclear propulsion and liquid hydrogen rocket systems. At its busiest, the place had 15 test facilities with 24 different rigs and cells.
The Plum Brook Reactor Facility hit full 60-megawatt power in 1963. It was NASA’s only nuclear site, built to test materials exposed to radiation for nuclear-powered rockets. Scientists put test samples through radiation, then checked them in shielded labs.
Major facilities included:
Researchers tackled tough liquid hydrogen problems, like storage at -423°F and high-speed turbopumps. The site tested parts for Centaur and Saturn rockets, plus the Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application program.
Budget cuts in the mid-1970s and 1980s led NASA to close most operations at Plum Brook. They kept a skeleton crew to maintain and preserve the facilities.
NASA brought four major Plum Brook facilities back online in the early 1990s. They ran these sites on a pay-for-service model, serving both government and commercial clients.
The facility got a major facelift to meet the needs of new space programs. In the 2010s, the Space Power Facility saw big upgrades, including the Reverberant Acoustic Test Facility and Mechanical Vibration Facility.
These changes led to the creation of the Space Environments Complex. Now, they can simulate launch vibrations, intense acoustic conditions, and other space-like environments.
Modern Commercial Applications:
NASA decided to rename the facility to honor Neil Armstrong, recognizing its impact on space exploration. These days, the site supports both NASA missions and commercial space ventures, including the development of spacecraft for space tourism.
Today, the focus is on testing large spacecraft systems under simulated space conditions. The facility validates commercial crew vehicles and deep space hardware, helping America’s commercial space industry grow.
NASA’s Glenn Research Center has changed aviation and space exploration with bold work in jet engines, rocket propulsion, and advanced spacecraft systems.
The center developed crucial technologies that moved the U.S. from propeller planes to supersonic jets. Their work also made complex space missions to the Moon and beyond possible.
Back in 1941, the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory started a revolution in American aviation during World War II. Engineers worked on improving piston engines for military planes, focusing on better cooling and supercharger performance.
They tested the first U.S. turbojet and ramjet engines in special wind tunnels. This early work got America ready for the jet age.
After the war, researchers shifted gears to jet propulsion and high-speed flight. They built supersonic wind tunnels and test chambers for more powerful engines.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, the center tested nearly every U.S. turbojet model. This led to big jumps in engine thrust and helped launch the first U.S. jet airliners by the late 1950s.
During the 1950s, Lewis Research Center engineers zeroed in on axial-flow compressor technology. They explored compressor and turbine design, thrust boosting, high-temperature materials, and high-altitude combustion.
Their fuel research program tested high-energy, non-traditional propellants for top performance. This work led NASA to pick liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen for upper-stage rockets in the 1960s.
Researchers created synthetic fuels and tackled aircraft icing problems using special tunnels and test planes. The Crash Fire program used old military aircraft to study and prevent fires in low-altitude crashes.
Key breakthroughs included:
In 1962, the center took over the Centaur rocket program, working with a brand new liquid hydrogen-powered vehicle. Engineers spent years testing and flying it to get the technology right.
Their experience with liquid hydrogen came from 1950s research. They solved tough problems with hydrogen combustion, heat transfer, storage, and pumping.
Atlas-Centaur rockets delivered six Surveyor spacecraft to the Moon between 1966 and 1968. These missions gave Apollo planners vital info.
The program kept rolling through the 1970s with big launches. Titan-Centaur rockets sent Viking missions to Mars and the Voyager spacecraft out to the outer planets.
NASA Glenn Research Center led the way in liquid hydrogen propulsion technology, laying the foundation for the country’s most powerful rockets.
Since the 1940s, Glenn’s work has made liquid hydrogen the go-to fuel for upper-stage rockets and enabled missions to the Moon and beyond.
NASA Glenn started testing liquid hydrogen as rocket fuel in the mid-1940s. The Rocket Engine Test Facility opened right at the start of the Space Age.
Researchers ran systematic studies to find high-thrust fuels that wouldn’t wreck engines. By 1947, they were testing small rocket setups in Cell 4 of the Rocket Lab.
Scientists figured out how liquid hydrogen burned with oxygen in rocket engines. They tackled challenges with storing and pumping the super-cold fuel.
Glenn’s hydrogen expertise grew through the 1950s. They published key research like “Liquid Hydrogen as a Jet Fuel for High-altitude Aircraft” in 1955.
By the late 1950s, NASA chose the hydrogen-oxygen combo for all upper-stage rockets.
Glenn’s hydrogen research fueled the Apollo program. The center got the Centaur rocket program in 1962 because of this expertise.
Engineers put Centaur through years of tough tests and proof flights. Centaur launched six Surveyor spacecraft to the Moon from 1966 to 1968, scouting landing sites for Apollo.
Glenn teams solved hydrogen combustion, heat transfer, storage, and pumping problems in the 1960s. They even studied how liquid hydrogen behaved in zero gravity.
Their work enabled the Saturn rocket stages that sent astronauts to the Moon. Glenn provided engineering and rocket test know-how throughout Apollo. This foundation later supported space shuttle development.
Glenn keeps pushing liquid hydrogen tech for today’s missions. The center tests Rocket-Based Combined Cycle systems that blend rocket and air-breathing engines.
These hybrid engines could make space access cheaper. Modern Glenn test facilities simulate altitude conditions for hydrogen-oxygen engines.
The upgraded Rocket Lab tests advanced thrusters, combustors, and new fuels. Scientists look for ways to make liquid hydrogen propulsion more efficient and reliable.
Glenn’s Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio specializes in hydrogen propulsion system testing. The complex has 11 facilities for turbopumps, engine parts, and fuel tanks.
These resources support NASA’s Artemis program and commercial companies building hydrogen-powered rockets.
NASA’s Glenn Research Center led the way in electric propulsion with missions like SERT-1. They developed ion propulsion systems that changed how efficiently spacecraft travel.
Their NEXT and NSTAR programs produced the most advanced electric thrusters ever flown.
Glenn launched SERT-1 in July 1964, pulling off the first successful electric propulsion test in space. The mission showed that ion engines could work in tough space environments.
The spacecraft carried two kinds of electric thrusters—one with cesium ions, the other with mercury vapor. Both worked just as planned.
SERT-1 ran for over 31 minutes of firing time. The test proved electric propulsion could give spacecraft precise control while using very little fuel.
Glenn engineers designed the mission to answer big questions about electric propulsion. They wanted to see how these systems handled space radiation and temperature swings.
SERT-1’s success paved the way for all future electric propulsion missions. That single flight validated decades of Glenn’s research.
After SERT-1, Glenn Research Center became the leader in ion propulsion. Engineers refined concepts into working systems for real missions.
Ion engines work by charging atoms and firing them out at high speed. The result? Thrust that’s gentle but extremely efficient compared to chemical rockets.
Researchers at Glenn solved big technical hurdles in ion engine design. They made better ion sources, stronger power systems, and longer-lasting thruster parts.
Glenn’s ion propulsion systems use xenon gas as fuel. The engines ionize the gas and accelerate the particles with electric fields to make thrust.
These engines are ten times more fuel efficient than chemical rockets. While the thrust is low, they can run for years without running out of fuel.
The NSTAR program gave Glenn its first operational ion propulsion system for deep space. NASA’s Deep Space 1 mission in 1998 proved NSTAR engines could power interplanetary probes.
NSTAR engines delivered 92 millinewtons of thrust using 2.3 kilowatts of electrical power. The system ran flawlessly for over 16 months as Deep Space 1 visited an asteroid and comet.
Glenn’s NEXT program improved on NSTAR, designing more powerful and efficient thrusters. NEXT thrusters deliver 236 millinewtons of thrust and use advanced grids that last longer.
The Advanced Electric Propulsion System is Glenn’s latest leap in ion engine tech. These 12-kilowatt Hall thrusters pack twice the punch of current systems and will propel NASA’s Gateway lunar station.
Three AEPS thrusters will move Gateway during its 15-year lunar orbit mission. Glenn engineers put these systems through rigorous testing to ensure they’ll handle lunar operations.
NASA Glenn Research Center runs educational programs that connect Cleveland and Ohio communities with space exploration.
The center offers STEM programs for students from kindergarten through high school. They also host public tours and events, showing off the latest in aerospace research.
The Glenn Research Center acts as Ohio’s gateway to NASA’s mission. Visitors can check out aircraft hangars and research facilities through guided tours.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement at Glenn supports workforce development with programs at local, regional, and national levels. The office works to inspire Ohio students to pursue aerospace and related careers.
Educational Impact Areas:
The center puts a strong focus on diversity in space careers. Programs aim to train the first woman and first person of color to travel to the Moon on upcoming NASA missions.
Glenn runs a bunch of specialized programs for different age groups all year long. The High School Engineering Institute gives juniors and seniors free summer training if they’re interested in aerospace careers.
Students dive into work-based learning experiences that get them ready for the aerospace workforce. They tackle hands-on projects and get direct mentorship from NASA engineers and scientists.
Age-Specific Programs:
The High School Capstone program teams up with the Engineering Institute to help develop Ohio’s next generation of aerospace professionals. Both programs back NASA’s goals for space missions in the 2030s.
Registration usually opens about a month or two before each event. These programs focus on Ohio schools and youth organizations, and they require U.S. citizenship.
Glenn invites students, teachers, and families to both in-person and virtual events throughout the year. Tours let visitors see active research facilities, where teams work on technologies for lunar surface operations.
Event Categories:
Manufacturing Day targets high school students and shows them what careers in aerospace manufacturing look like. Participants watch engineering teams prototype hardware for space missions.
The center also offers virtual programming to reach more people across Ohio. These events feature conversations with NASA experts, virtual facility tours, and activities families can try at home.
Glenn’s community programs connect Cleveland residents with the real aerospace research happening nearby. The center employs professionals from all sorts of backgrounds, giving local students role models if they’re thinking about NASA careers.
NASA Glenn Research Center has built its reputation thanks to exceptional leaders and dedicated people who pushed aerospace technology forward. The facility honors both founding pioneers and today’s innovators who shaped America’s space program with their research and vision.
George W. Lewis led the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which eventually became NASA. His leadership set the foundation for American aeronautical research, paving the way for what’s now NASA Glenn Research Center.
Lewis pushed for scientific research methods in aviation in the early 20th century. He believed systematic testing and data collection could tackle tough flight challenges, and this approach became the standard at all NACA facilities.
He looked beyond the immediate needs of aviation. Lewis knew research investments would pay off for future aerospace developments.
The research methods he put in place at NACA directly influence how NASA Glenn handles modern space exploration challenges. The center still follows Lewis’s principles of rigorous testing and scientific analysis.
His focus on practical uses for theoretical research stays at the core of Glenn’s mission.
NASA Glenn has seen different directors guide the center through many eras of aerospace development. Each leader brought their own expertise and helped shape the facility’s research priorities.
Jim Free once served as Center Director and recognized hundreds of employees for their outstanding contributions. Under his leadership, the center honored 96 individuals and 650 team members for achievements in science, technology, and engineering.
In 2015, the facility started a Hall of Fame to recognize former workers whose accomplishments elevated the center. Ten new members joined the 2021 class, including pioneers in battery research, propulsion systems, and space communications.
Notable Hall of Fame inductees include:
Dr. Rickey J. Shyne now directs Research and Engineering. Crain’s Cleveland Business named him one of their Notable Black Leaders in 2024 for his work in aerospace engineering.
NASA Glenn employs thousands of engineers, scientists, and support staff living all over northeast Ohio. The center acts as an economic powerhouse, driving growth and innovation in the region.
Current employees nominate former colleagues for Hall of Fame recognition. This way, people who truly understand the work ensure big achievements don’t go unnoticed.
Glenn attracts talent from across the U.S. and internationally. Many employees end up settling in the Cleveland area, contributing to communities like North Olmsted, Strongsville, and Fairview Park.
The workforce at Glenn includes experts in propulsion, materials science, power systems, and communications technology. These specialists team up on projects that support both current space missions and future exploration.
The center’s diversity reflects America’s broader commitment to inclusive aerospace development. Leaders like Gonzalez-Sanabria and Shyne show how Glenn values contributions from all backgrounds in moving space technology forward.
NASA’s Glenn Research Center has left a real cultural impact through its work on the agency’s famous logo and its history of innovation. The center’s economic influence stretches way beyond Cleveland, generating billions and supporting thousands of jobs across Ohio.
Glenn Research Center played a major role in creating NASA’s best-known symbol. The iconic “meatball” logo was designed at what was then Lewis Research Center in Cleveland back in 1959.
The logo turned 65 in July 2024. NASA picked this circular design to show the agency’s mission and scientific focus. The red wing stands for aeronautics, and the round orbital path shows space exploration goals.
NASA Glenn marked the anniversary by hosting a Cleveland Creators Tour. Local folks from food, tourism, apparel, and sports learned about proper logo use and branding guidelines.
The logo remains one of the most recognized symbols in aerospace. NASA gets more than 10,000 requests every year for merchandise featuring the meatball design.
Glenn Research Center leads all NASA facilities in innovation. The center holds more than 725 patents in aerospace technologies, covering everything from spacecraft components to advanced materials research.
The center has won over 120 R&D 100 Awards—these are basically the “Oscars of innovation” in the research world. Glenn has taken home more of these awards than any other NASA center.
Research teams at Glenn keep developing breakthrough technologies. Their work supports missions like Artemis and future exploration goals. The center’s patent portfolio shows decades of steady innovation in aerospace engineering.
Glenn Research Center pumps huge economic benefits into Ohio. The facility generates over $1.9 billion in annual economic impact, according to a Cleveland State University study.
The center creates and supports more than 9,000 jobs, from engineers and researchers to support staff and contractors. Glenn brings in nearly $853 million in labor income each year.
Tax revenue from the center hits about $210 million annually, supporting local communities and state programs throughout Ohio. More than 3,000 people work directly at the Cleveland facility.
Glenn’s economic impact goes beyond just direct jobs. Local suppliers, restaurants, and service businesses see the benefits of the center’s presence in northeast Ohio.
NASA Glenn Research Center has played a huge role in advancing human spaceflight. The center develops power systems, propulsion technology, and materials research for missions from Mercury all the way to Artemis.
The center works closely with other NASA facilities and international partners to solve tough engineering problems that make space exploration possible.
NASA Glenn has provided essential technologies for every big human spaceflight program. The center built critical systems for Mercury, the first program to put Americans in space.
During the Apollo era, Glenn perfected liquid hydrogen rocket fuel technology for Saturn rocket upper stages. The Space Shuttle program leaned heavily on Glenn’s expertise in propulsion and power systems.
Engineers at the center designed and tested components that kept shuttles running for thirty years. Their work on fuel cells gave shuttle missions reliable electrical power.
Current Mission Support:
Glenn’s Simulated Lunar Operations lab tests rover performance on recreated lunar terrain. This facility helps NASA get robotic vehicles ready for future Moon and Mars missions.
The materials research division develops lightweight, radiation-resistant parts for spacecraft that have to survive in harsh space environments.
Glenn Research Center stands out as the only NASA facility focused on aircraft propulsion and power systems. This specialty naturally leads to partnerships with other centers that need propulsion know-how.
Kennedy Space Center relies on Glenn’s launch vehicle technologies for mission operations. Johnson Space Center teams up with Glenn on life support systems and spacecraft power generation.
Glenn’s fuel cell technology powers crewed missions launched from Houston’s mission control. The centers share research data on materials that can handle wild temperature swings in space.
Key Partnership Areas:
Glenn’s 350-acre Lewis Field campus houses specialized testing facilities you just won’t find anywhere else. The Icing Research Tunnel, running since 1944, offers unique testing for NASA aircraft and spacecraft.
These one-of-a-kind facilities make Glenn an essential partner for centers developing flight systems.
NASA Glenn supports International Space Station operations through power system maintenance and upgrades. The center’s fuel cell expertise helps keep the station’s electrical systems running.
Glenn engineers work with international partners to develop compatible power interfaces and backup systems. The center joins research projects with agencies from Europe, Japan, and Canada, focusing on propulsion technologies for future Mars missions and lunar base construction.
Glenn’s materials research helps set international standards for spacecraft components and safety systems. The center’s communications technology work supports global space operations.
Glenn develops long-range communication systems that keep spacecraft connected across the solar system. These systems enable international mission coordination and data sharing between ground control centers worldwide.
International Projects:
The center’s technology transfer programs share innovations with international commercial partners. Glenn licenses its inventions to aerospace companies around the world, spreading NASA innovations beyond U.S. borders.
This technology sharing helps speed up space industry development and strengthens international space cooperation.
NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland welcomes public visitors through guided tours and has specific policies for accessing its world-class research facilities. The center employs over 3,200 people and offers a range of career opportunities in aerospace research and technology development.
NASA Glenn gives free guided tours of its research facilities from April through October. Tours run on scheduled dates and offer a behind-the-scenes look at aerospace research equipment.
Zero-Gravity Research Facility tours are also available, though dates might shift based on testing schedules. Visitors should check the Glenn Tours webpage for the latest info and FAQs before planning a visit.
Tours are open to the public at no charge. The center paused tours for almost four years, but they’re back now, making these research spaces accessible to Cleveland residents and visitors again.
NASA Glenn Research Center sits at Lewis Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Construction crews broke ground here back in January 1941 for what used to be called the Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory.
They named the center’s streets in August 1942 after some of the first NACA Executive Committee members. You’ll spot names like Charles Walcott, David Taylor, Samuel Stratton, William Moffett, Oscar Westover, Joseph Ames, Charles Marvin, and William Durand as you walk around.
Later on, they chose more practical names for new areas—think West Area, Underpass, and Cryogenic. The facility covers a bunch of buildings. The Engine Research Building stands out as the largest, taking up 152,235 square feet.
NASA Glenn Research Center actually runs two facilities in Ohio. The main campus is at Lewis Field in Cleveland, and the Armstrong Test Facility is the second site.
People used to call Armstrong Test Facility “Plum Brook Station” until 2021. NASA Glenn started out by leasing 500 acres of Plum Brook Ordnance Works in 1955 to build a nuclear test reactor.
By 1958, they leased another 2,700 acres to set up hydrogen test stands. Then on March 15, 1963, NASA Glenn took full control of all 6,400 acres at Plum Brook Station, including 2,800 acres that hadn’t been used before.
You can visit NASA Glenn in two main ways. The first is by signing up for a guided facility tour at Lewis Field, but you’ll need to register in advance through the Glenn Tours webpage.
The other option is to check out the NASA Glenn Visitor Center inside the Great Lakes Science Center in downtown Cleveland. This spot stays open year-round and offers interactive exhibits, space galleries, and plenty of family-friendly displays.
Tour dates can change depending on testing schedules. It’s smart to check the official Glenn Tours webpage for the latest info, updates, and detailed visitor policies before you go.
In 2018, NASA Glenn had 3,281 employees. That included 1,594 civil servants and 1,687 contract staff. Over the past five years, the workforce has stayed around 3,207 people.
Jobs here cover aerospace research, engineering, and technology development. The team works on designing and building tech to push air travel and space exploration forward, and honestly, to make life on Earth a little better.
NASA Glenn has played a big role in major missions, from Mercury and Apollo to the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. This wide range of projects means there are opportunities in plenty of different aerospace fields and research areas.
NASA Glenn shares info about its leadership through official sources. If you’re curious, you can check out biographies of center directors on the NASA Glenn History webpage.
Since its start, the center has had 15 directors. Right now, Jimmy Kenyon leads as director, a role he’s held since 2022.
If you’re looking for general employee information or want to understand the organizational structure, you’ll need to reach out to NASA Glenn directly. They handle these requests through their official communication channels.
NASA Glenn follows standard federal government rules when it comes to employee directory access and privacy. So, you won’t find a public directory floating around online.
The center also puts out Aerospace Frontiers, its official newsletter. It’s been running for over 75 years, except for a couple short breaks in 1962 and 1963.
This newsletter sometimes highlights employee achievements and shares updates about the organization. If you want a glimpse into what’s happening at Glenn, it’s worth checking out.
