NASA Ames Research Center

Astrobiology. Supercomputing. Robotic lunar exploration. These are a few of the areas of scientific research and exploration in which the NASA Ames Research Center is a leader. Located on Moffett Field, a former U.S. Navy airfield between Mountain View and Sunnyvale, California, NASA Ames is on the cutting edge of space exploration. Just 4 miles from NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View Inn offers guests quality lodging in all of our hotel rooms and suites. Standard amenities in every room include complimentary Wi-Fi, cable satellite television featuring HBO, a refrigerator, a microwave oven, and a coffeemaker. Beds are available in double, queen, or king size. Enjoy complimentary breakfast each morning as well as the outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, fitness center, and sauna.

NASA Ames History

For over 70 years, the NASA Ames Research Center has been growing and evolving as aeronautics and space exploration change and progress. Founded in 1939, it was first part of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). NACA dissolved in 1958, and became NASA, or National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Some of the first research objectives at Ames had to do with war efforts, and the scientists therefore made strides in tunnel research, particularly supersonic wind, hypersonic, and arc jet tunnels.

NASA Ames Today

All kinds of mind-boggling research are in progress at NASA Ames Research Center. The facility is home to labs that are testing flight research, planetary climates, thermal protection systems, re-entry technology, and astrobiology. Since the NASA Ames Research Center does not provide tours to the public, visitors are encouraged to visit the NASA Ames Exploration Center as well as Moffett Museum.

Exploration Center

The NASA Ames Exploration Center is located on the grounds of NASA Ames at Moffett Field, and offers free admission. The Exploration's Immersive Theater is a jaw-dropping experience with a curved 40-foot wide screen that offers panoramic views of movies taken of Mars as well as other planetary exploratory adventures. There are also exhibits about space exploration being conducted by NASA Ames as well as a gift shop with NASA logo items. The NASA Ames Exploration Center is open Tuesday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on weekends from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Moffet Field Museum

NASA Ames Research Center is located on Moffett Field, which was a longtime airfield for the U.S. Navy. Visitors can learn about the history of Moffett Field by visiting the Moffett Field Museum, which is run by the Moffett Field Historical Society. In addition to its displayed exhibits, Moffett Field Museum is home to an extensive library where information about Moffett Field has been collected. Docent tours are available of the Museum.