Langley Research Center (NASA), Virginia

One of the nation's primary aviation and aeronautics research and development facilities. Langley's 40 plus wind tunnels cover the entire speed range from 0 mph to nearly Mach 25 or orbital velocity (17,500 mph). In addition, Langley houses facilities for structures, materials and acoustics research; flight electronics; flight systems; simulation facility simulators; simulation facility components; and a scientific and general purpose computing complex. Occupies 787 acres and over 220 buildings, and shares some facilities with Langley Air Force Base, located adjacent to the Research Center. Employing around 1,900 civil servants and 1,800 contractors, NASA Langley generally has an annual budget of several hundred million dollars.