US EditionNASA's X-59 Supersonic Jet Set for Second Flight Thursday
NASA's X-59 will conduct incremental flights to test safety and validate its low-boom signature, supporting FAA and ICAO decisions on supersonic overland flight.
- On March 19, NASA will fly the X-59 experimental aircraft from Edwards Air Force Base, California, beginning the envelope expansion phase near NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center.
- Following its maiden flight, the program is entering methodical envelope expansion to stretch the X-59 experimental aircraft beyond its initial performance and prepare for Phase 2: Acoustic Validation over American communities.
- Starting with low‑speed checks, the team will incrementally push performance from 230 mph at 12,000 feet to 260 mph at 20,000 feet, then to Mach 1.4 at 55,000 feet following the envelope expansion ladder.
- After a detailed teardown, engineers from NASA and Lockheed Martin reassembled the X-59, which has its long nose and engine placement designed to produce a soft 'thump' for people on the ground.
- Pilot Jim 'Clue' Less will take the stick for the second flight, his first X-plane assignment, while Nils Larson observes from a NASA F/A-18 chase plane as the X-59 seeks data to address the commercial supersonic flight ban over land.
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The X-59 silent supersonic plane, belonging to NASA, is ready for the second pilot flight, transmits space.com Wednesday.
NASA's X-59 prepares for second flight
NASA's X-59 experimental aircraft is preparing for its second flight, a step that will set the pace for more flight testing in 2026. Over the coming months, NASA will take the quiet supersonic jet faster and higher, while validating safety and performance, a process known as envelope expansion.
Why NASA Is Testing A Low-Boom Supersonic Aircraft
NASA is set to fly its X-59 experimental aircraft on March 19 from Edwards Air Force Base in California, marking the start of a critical testing phase. The flight begins the envelope expansion stage, where engineers gradually push the aircraft beyond its initial limits to prepare for future acoustic validation over U.S. communities. Tests will begin at lower speeds and altitudes, before advancing to supersonic performance, eventually reaching Ma…
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