Going Supersonic! NASA's X-59 Jet Breaks Sound Barrier for the 1st Time
The 81-minute test reached Mach 1.1 as NASA prepares the aircraft for mission-condition flights and later quiet supersonic demonstrations.
- On Friday, June 5, 2026, NASA's X-59 research aircraft exceeded the speed of sound for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the Quesst mission.
- Designed to generate a "quiet" thump rather than a disruptive sonic boom, the experimental aircraft aims to overcome regulatory bans that grounded The Concorde in 1973.
- During the 81-minute flight at Edwards Air Force Base, NASA test pilot Jim 'Clue' Less reached a top speed of Mach 1.1 and an altitude of 43,400 feet.
- Future "mission conditions" flights will push toward Mach 1.4 at 55,000 feet, providing essential data for regulators to develop new noise standards for supersonic flight.
- These advancements could help travelers reach destinations faster while minimizing disturbances on the ground, positioning NASA to potentially enable future commercial supersonic flight over land.
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NASA's X-59 aircraft completes first supersonic flight
NASA's experimental X-59 aircraft completed its first supersonic flight on Friday, marking a major milestone in the development of the agency's quiet supersonic technology.The flight sets the stage for demonstrating the aircraft's quiet supersonic capabilities
NASA announced this Friday that the experimental X-59 aircraft first surpassed the speed of sound, which it considered an important milestone in the development of this aircraft that aims to boost quiet commercial supersonic flights.
NASA announced this Friday that its experimental X-59 aircraft first surpassed the speed of sound, which it considered an important milestone in the development of such an aircraft that aims to boost silent supersonic commercial flights. In a statement, it reported that the unit took off and landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California, and that it reached a maximum speed of approximately 1,147 kilometers per hour, as well as an altitude of 43…
NASA X-59 Quesst Completes Historic First Supersonic Test Flight in California
Reading Time: 3 minutesKey Takeaways: The X-59 Quesst successfully completed its first flight that broke the speed of sound over California. The aircraft reached a maximum speed of Mach 1.1 at an altitude of 43,400 feet during an 81 minute test mission. The unique aerodynamic design of the X-59 disperses shockwaves, turning a loud sonic boom into a quiet thump. NASA’s X-59 Quesst experimental aircraft has successfully completed its first supers…
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