Inside the Altitude Wind Tunnel: The Role of Turning Vanes

### quick Summary
– The Altitude Wind tunnel (AWT) at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Aircraft Engine Research Laboratory became operational in February 1944.
– It was the only wind tunnel capable of testing full-size aircraft engines under simulated altitude conditions, achieving wind speeds up to 500 miles per hour.
– The facility contained turning vanes, specifically located in the southeast corner of the rectangular tunnel with features including elliptical panels composed of vertical vanes supported horizontally. Installation took several weeks in mid-1943.
– Initially under NACA, this facility underwent multiple name changes and now operates as NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

*Image Credit: NASA*

### Indian Opinion Analysis
The evolution and technological milestones achieved by facilities like the AWT underscore critical global advancements that contributed to modern aerospace research. For India, such examples highlight the importance of sustained investment in indigenous infrastructure for high-end research and progress. With India’s growing space programs through ISRO and recent steps toward self-reliant defense capabilities,studying international models such as NASA’s long-term adaptability could inform strategies for nurturing innovation ecosystems domestically.

[Read More](https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/turning-vanes-inside-the-altitude-wind-tunnel/)