Synthetic Vision would address the single largest contributing factor in fatal worldwide airline andgeneral aviation crashes: limited visibility. NASA engineers and their industry partners are developing an advanced cockpit display that will use technologies such as Global Positioning System signals and terrain databases to give pilots a clear out-the-window picture, no matter what the weather or time of day.

The Aviation Safety Program, part of NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate, explores ways to improve the overall safety of aircraft that fly today in U.S. airspace and those that will fly in the U.S. system for tomorrow—the Next Generation Air Transportation System, or NextGen.

n support of aeronautical R&D, Dryden is involved in many aspects of the Fundamental Aeronautics and Aviation Safety programs, including the X-48 Blended Wing body and Ikhana (Predator B) in support of subsonics; the F-15B Quiet Spike in support of supersonics and Adaptive Flight Controls in support of the Aviation Safety Program.

Dryden is the primary alternate landing site for the Space Shuttle and orbital support for the International Space Station.

Painted on the dry lake beds near Dryden is the world's largest compass rose, which measures approximately 0.75 miles (1.21 km) in diameter.

For 60 years, Projects at Dryden have led to major advancements in the design and capabilities of many state-of-the-art civilian and military aircraft. The newest, the fastest, the highest - all have made their debut in the vast, clear desert skies over Dryden.

Located at Edwards, California, in the western Mojave Desert, Dryden is uniquely situated to take advantage of the excellent year-round flying weather, remote area, and visibility to test some of the nation's most exciting air vehicles.