Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel
Also known as: Unitary Plan Facility
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Why it's listed
Three wind tunnel test sections at NASA's Ames Research Center on Moffett Field, California, share one drive system of four intercoupled electric motors providing about 134 megawatts. The sections are an 11-by-11-foot transonic tunnel and two supersonic tunnels, 9 by 7 feet and 8 by 7 feet. The complex came out of the Unitary Plan Act, passed by Congress on October 27, 1949, which set up a coordinated national program of research facilities after the United States appeared to lag behind German missile and jet technology. The National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics built it between about 1950 and 1955, using three test sections so that one complex could simulate the full range of aircraft and missile flight. Boeing and Douglas airliners, the F-111, C-5A and B-1 were tested here. In the 1960s and 1970s nearly all NASA manned space vehicles, including the Space Shuttle, were also tested. The nomination presents it as a bridge between NACA and NASA research.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that the facility shows the continued development of advanced aeronautical research facilities after World War II. These facilities formed the base on which NASA drew in 1958 to begin the American effort to land a man on the moon. It was a product of the 1949 Unitary Plan Act and serves as a crossover point from NACA to NASA, contributing to both aircraft and manned spacecraft development.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 85002799, listed October 3, 1985. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | Ames Research Center, Moffett Field |
|---|---|
| County | Santa Clara County |
| Listed | October 3, 1985 |
| Reference number | 85002799 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1955-Present |
| Architect / builder | NACA |
| Areas of significance | Other, Military, Engineering, Science |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated October 3, 1985 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Listed as in excellent condition, on its original site, occupied, with government and scientific use and restricted access. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | NASA Ames Wind Tunnel Historic District |
| Coordinates | 37.41706, -122.06038 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 85002799.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7887235
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.