Landing and Impact Research Facility

The Landing and Impact Research Facility is a research laboratory in Hampton that features a 240-foot-high gantry structure with a water basin designed for testing spacecraft behavior during landing operations. The facility was built to simulate and evaluate how spacecraft respond to different conditions encountered during descent and water impact events.

The facility played a crucial role in 1965 when it was used to prepare astronauts for lunar missions through specialized training simulations. This early work during the space age established the laboratory as a key site for aerospace research and development in the United States.

The laboratory holds three significant designations: National Historic Landmark, National Register of Historic Places, and Virginia Historic Landmark status.

Access to the site requires advance scheduling since it operates as an active research center with limited visitor access. Plan to visit during designated tour times and be aware that some areas may be restricted due to ongoing laboratory operations.

The site contains roughly 600 specialized sensors that continuously gather data about structural responses during tests. These sensors allowed engineers to understand landing impacts in ways that had never been measured before.

Location: Hampton

Inception: 1965

Part of: Langley Research Center

GPS coordinates: 37.10158,-76.38931

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:01