{"id":28891,"date":"2018-05-04T07:58:51","date_gmt":"2018-05-04T14:58:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/?post_type=blog&#038;p=28891"},"modified":"2025-04-03T14:04:19","modified_gmt":"2025-04-03T21:04:19","slug":"nasa-langleys-digital-twin","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/blog\/nasa-langleys-digital-twin","title":{"rendered":"How NASA Mapped and Modeled Langley\u2019s Digital Twin"},"author":1021,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"sync_status":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","castos_file_data":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[331,801],"tags":[4381,4371,4361,4391],"industry":[],"esri-blog-category":[478752],"esri_blog_department":[478202],"class_list":["post-28891","blog","type-blog","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-3d","category-operational-intelligence","tag-apps","tag-facility-management","tag-nasa","tag-solutions","esri-blog-category-assets","esri_blog_department-infrastructure"],"acf":{"video_source":"","video_start":"","video_stop":"","short_description":"NASA\u2019s Langley Research Center uses a digital twin as backdrop to nearly 300 lightweight and purpose-driven facility management apps.","pdf":{"host_remotely":false,"file":"","file_url":""},"flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"sidebar","layout":"standard","image_reference":null,"image_reference_figure":"","spotlight_image":null,"section_title":"","spotlight_name":"","position":"Right","content":"Key Takeaways\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Digital twin guides space allocation to cut cost, reduce footprint<\/li>\r\n \t<li>3D models keep the center safe and secure<\/li>\r\n \t<li>300 apps support NASA management, maintenance, and planning<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","snippet":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"NASA\u2019s Langley Research Center got its start in the early days of aviation. Scientists at Langley expanded their aeronautical research to testing supersonic flight and space hardware, including the Apollo Lunar Module. The 764-acre campus houses an array of testing facilities including 40 wind tunnels used to study and improve aircraft and spacecraft safety and performance.\r\n\r\nFor nearly 30 years, a dedicated team of technologists worked to build the center\u2019s geographic information system (GIS) to help manage operations and maintenance. They created a detailed map of the entire center, including the interior and exterior of the more than 200 facilities. Tailored applications use the map as a backdrop for everything from daily maintenance and safety to flood prevention and sustainability.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe have 300 curated applications, and the apps get more than five million hits a year from more than 3,500 users,\u201d said Brad Ball, GIS team leader.\r\n<h3><strong>Accuracy Before Adoption<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThe GIS team has taken the concept of creating a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/en-us\/digital-twin\/overview\">digital twin<\/a> of the center to heart. They precisely measure and thoroughly collect data, including intricate details of underground utilities. In a center full of engineers, this due diligence preceded wide adoption.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe surveyed all of our visible features, all of our utilities, all of our roads, and then we backed that up with high-resolution aerial photography. We can compare the map to the aerial photo and they align exactly to where things are,\u201d Ball said.\r\n\r\nOnce Langley\u2019s GIS team established trust in the precision and accuracy of its maps and data, the calls for solutions began to pour in from other departments.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe started to have people approach us for data to back up specific facility decisions,\u201d Ball said. \u201cSometimes we had to roll up our sleeves and go get the data, but then the data would be sustained because people use it to back up their next decision and the decision after that.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe GIS team now supports every branch of operations at the center. The ReVITALization office, which oversees a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/larc\/nasa-langley-s-20-year-revitalization-plan\">20-year strategy<\/a> for deconstruction of aging structures and construction of state-of-the-art facilities, uses apps the most. They regularly interact with 48 apps that address space management, real property management, and planning functions.\r\n\r\nThe broad use of maps and apps to deliver location-based information moves Langley to the forefront of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/en-us\/industries\/needs\/facility-management\">GIS-based facility management<\/a>."},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":28911,"image_position":"center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"<h3><strong>3D Space Maps<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nThe interior mapping effort began with the need to more efficiently allocate space within and across campus buildings. First, the team digitized paper floorplans. Next, they developed optimization algorithms to weigh facility needs for each department.\r\n\r\nBy 2004, the GIS team created a space allocation tool that was the first of its kind. Langley used the tool in its Reduce the Footprint program which adjusted the average office size from 190 to 125 square feet per person. The space allocation tool aided tough decisions on how to juggle the locations of more than 3,000 targeted personnel. Considerations include the amount of space required, proximity and synergy to various laboratories and research facilities, available power and water utilities, building security, proximity of key personnel, the need for new construction, and the cost of each scenario for comparison purposes.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe recently added the inventory of elevators and stairways into our routing tools and this detail will be incorporated into the next-generation space allocation tool that\u2019s under development,\u201d Ball said. \u201cRather than move everyone to one floor to achieve desired synergy, the personnel can just climb the steps. This will save a great deal of expense, and it\u2019s probably good for their hearts too.\u201d\r\n\r\nLangley achieved its relocation objectives for Reduce the Footprint, under time and under budget using the space allocation tool. Teams continue to rely on the tool to speed space assignment and avoid the usual politicking.\r\n\r\nThe next step for interior mapping moved best-fit floorplans from paper drawings to absolute accuracy via laser scanning. The scans informed 3D interior models using Building Information Modeling software. Now, staff at Langley begin every building project in 3D rather than 2D drawings.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe've still got some of the old school folks that absolutely have to have a rolled-up paper drawing,\u201d Ball said. \u201cSo, we've got to change that way of thinking as we move forward.\u201d\r\n\r\n<strong>Public Safety and Security<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThe 3D models inform many lightweight apps, such as the Locator app that guides maintenance staff to the right piece of equipment. They are working to expand the app\u2019s functionality by adding multimodal routing to safely navigate personnel down roads, paths, and hallways\u2014whether by car, electric cart, bicycle, or on foot.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt will guide our maintenance staff to equipment rooms, but it will not route our scientists or administration personnel near dangerous machinery they\u2019re not familiar with,\u201d Ball said.\r\n\r\nThe map includes the precise 3D location of fire extinguishers and automated external defibrillators to assist emergency response personnel. It shows details of all ladders, catwalks, mezzanines, locks, safes, and critical infrastructure. After a recent accident, the 3D model informed an investigation without disrupting vital experiments."},{"acf_fc_layout":"image","image":28941,"image_position":"left-center","orientation":"horizontal","hyperlink":""},{"acf_fc_layout":"content","content":"<h3><strong>Flood Impact Analysis<\/strong><\/h3>\r\nGiven Langley\u2019s low-lying location, next to the Back River on the Chesapeake Bay, the center regularly relies on GIS to perform flood impact analysis and preparedness scenarios for weather events.\r\n\r\n\u201cYears ago, we took a look at updates to tidal elevations and we thought we had our map and our measurements wrong,\u201d Ball said. \u201cThat\u2019s when we discovered sea level change was real, and we adjusted our outlook.\u201d\r\n\r\nA new understanding of the center\u2019s flood vulnerability led to a number of applications that factor in facility elevation. Center-wide planning guidelines require high enough elevation for new buildings. And, staff examined elevations of existing buildings as well as infrastructure to make sure that NASA\u2019s critical programs stay out of harm\u2019s way.\r\n\r\nVulnerability also fosters vigilance. NASA takes real-time measurements of tide height and land height. If flood response requires sandbags, the 3D model calculates how many are needed for each doorway.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe\u2019re working on the migration of various NASA projects and programs to more secure facilities,\u201d Ball said. \u201cIn the interim, we\u2019re putting in mitigating strategies such as dams on doors.\u201d\r\n\r\nLangley shared the technology with NASA headquarters for a standardized approach to storm surge prediction across all centers. Additional adoptees of the tool include the Johnson Space Center, the adjacent Langley Air Force Base, and a local municipality. Each reported a greater understanding of flood risks and depend on the tool for hazard mitigation planning.\r\n<h3><strong>Maintenance and Operations <\/strong><\/h3>\r\nYears of detailed data collection are paying off with no input going unused. Langley\u2019s detailed view of facility information underpins competitive bidding for maintenance and operations. This ensures transparency when putting contracts out for bid and reduces contract padding, saving the center money.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe know exactly how many square feet of carpet and linoleum they\u2019re going to clean, and how many bathrooms and sinks,\u201d Ball said. \u201cWe also know how many acres of grass of different types and how many linear feet of edging occurs around roads, buildings, and fences. This reduces the risk for us and our contractors, because everything is in black and white.\u201d\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLearn more\u00a0about how GIS integrates campus and building information for improved <a href=\"http:\/\/www.esri.com\/industries\/facilities\">facility management<\/a>."}],"references":null},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.9 (Yoast SEO v25.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How NASA Mapped and Modeled Langley\u2019s Digital Twin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"NASA creates a digital twin at Langley Research Center, putting this map and tools into the hands of diverse users to reduce costs for facility maintenance and campus planning.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.esri.com\/about\/newsroom\/blog\/nasa-langleys-digital-twin\" \/>\n<meta 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