CLEVELAND — NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland will offer free tours of its laboratory and testing facilities one Saturday a month from April through October. Glenn’s world-class facilities help develop and verify cutting edge technologies in the areas of aeronautics, aerospace and space.

The tours are open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents of all ages. Tour space is limited and reservations are required to guarantee admission. Reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance, or depending on available space, at least one day before the actual tour date. To register, visitors should call 216-433-9653. All adult visitors are required to present government-issued photo identification. Lawful permanent residents are required to present their permanent resident card.

A tour bus will depart from Glenn’s main gate every hour beginning at 10 a.m. The last tour departs at 1 p.m. Each tour lasts about 45 minutes and is followed by a stop at Glenn’s gift shop. Visitors with special needs are permitted to use their own vehicles, but must follow the tour bus at all times. Most research facilities are wheelchair accessible; however, some have limited accessibility.

The tours give visitors a chance to learn about Glenn’s capabilities and to talk with engineers and scientists who actually work in the facilities and run experiments. “Glenn’s world-class research and technology are keys to advancing space exploration further into our solar system and beyond,” said Gregory H. Johnson, Glenn’s associate director for External Programs.

“Visiting Glenn’s facilities could be the inspiration a child needs to guide him or her toward a career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.”

The facility tours for 2012 are:

April 7: Green Lab Research Facility focuses on processes that use biofuels as an alternative energy source for commercial aviation.

May 5: Telescience Support Center allows researchers on Earth to operate experiments onboard the International Space Station.

June 2: 10- by 10-Foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel is the largest and fastest wind tunnel at Glenn and is specifically designed to test supersonic propulsion components such as inlets and nozzles, propulsion system integration, and full-scale jet and rocket engines.

July 14: Icing Research Tunnel, or IRT, is one of the world’s largest refrigerated wind tunnels dedicated to study aircraft icing.

Aug. 4: Simulated Lunar Operations, or SLOPE, facility, houses a “sandbox” that is 20 feet wide by 60 feet long, where Glenn researchers improve the mobility of rovers on the moon with the aid of simulated lunar soil.

Sept. 8: Exercise Countermeasures Laboratory, used by scientists and engineers to conduct exercise routines, test exercise equipment and examine the effectiveness of exercise and microgravity on astronauts.

Oct. 6: Zero Gravity Research Facility, used by researchers worldwide to study the effects of microgravity on physical phenomena.

Glenn is located at 21000 Brookpark Road. Upon entering the center’s main gate, all vehicles are subject to inspection.

For more information about Glenn’s tours, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/events/tours.html

For information on NASA’s visitor policies, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/about/visit_grc_security_policy.html

For information about NASA’s Glenn Research Center, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/glenn