NASA is about to conduct the first flight of its X-59 aircraft, designed to redefine supersonic flight.
The aircraft, set to launch later this year, aims to reduce the characteristic sonic boom of planes that exceed the speed of sound, transforming loud explosions into nearly inaudible noise. This could enable supersonic flights over land, which have been banned in the U.S. for more than 50 years. The project is part of NASA’s Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) mission.
Lockheed Martin, contracted by NASA, developed the X-59 with innovative design features to minimize sound impact. The aircraft has a long and narrow structure, a top-mounted engine, and specially designed wings to reduce drag.
Additionally, the X-59 features an external vision system to assist the pilot, as the cockpit lacks forward-facing windows. The aircraft will first be tested in flights over the California desert before being transferred to NASA for further testing later this year.
Despite uncertainties regarding demand and the economic feasibility of commercial supersonic flights—due to high fuel consumption and potentially expensive ticket prices—the ability to travel at extreme speeds could revolutionize aviation. The X-59, for instance, could complete the Los Angeles to New York route in just 2.5 hours, compared to over 5 hours with current aircraft.
NASA expects that after testing between 2025 and 2026, the X-59 could be ready for commercial flights by 2027.
Source: Mashable | Photo: Instagram @lockheedmartin | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.