NASA Prepares First Supersonic Test Flight for X-59 “Quiet” Experimental Aircraft
NASA has announced that its experimental supersonic aircraft, the X-59—also known as the “Son of Concorde”—is preparing for its first major flight tests as part of an ongoing research program focused on quieter supersonic travel.
The aircraft is designed to fly faster than the speed of sound while significantly reducing the loud sonic boom typically associated with supersonic jets.
According to NASA, the X-59 is expected to undergo a series of test flights in early June as part of its development phase. Initial test targets include speeds of around 630 miles per hour at altitudes of approximately 43,000 feet.
Key Features of the X-59 Aircraft
- Capable of reaching speeds up to Mach 1.6 (around 1,218 mph)
- Designed using NASA’s Quiet Supersonic Technology (Quesst) program
- Engineered to reduce the sonic boom into a softer, less disruptive sound
- Features a specially designed long, tapered nose to help minimize shock waves
NASA plans further “mission condition” tests after the initial phase, including flights at higher speeds and altitudes. These tests are expected to push the aircraft closer to its maximum performance limits.
In later stages, the X-59 will be tested at speeds of up to Mach 1.6 while flying at altitudes near 60,000 feet.
The goal of the project is to explore the possibility of future commercial supersonic air travel over land with reduced noise impact, making faster long-distance air travel more practical in the future.
