Langley Research Center is a branch of NASA, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, an elite group of only 20 locations nationally. Led by some of the industry's preeminent minds, the centers overarching mission is to develop and improve technology for aviation and space exploration. Known as America’s first civil aeronautics laboratory, Langley produces innovations that have drastically impacted not only the industry, but the world.

The NIA is a non-profit research and graduate education institute founded by a consortium of large universities to conduct cutting-edge aerospace and atmospheric research, develop new technologies and train the next generation of scientists and engineers. NIA serves as a strategic partner with NASA Langley Research Center.

VMASC, established in 1997 as ODU's modeling and simulation research center, was created at the request of the Department of Defense (DoD), for both workforce development and research and development support in modeling and simulation. Over the last twenty years VMASC has continued its exploration of new ways to employ modeling and simulation to solve real world problems. The Center has brought in over one hundred million dollars in research and continues its international recognition as the premiere center for modeling and simulation across the globe.