NASA's X-59 breaks the sound barrier without the sonic boom

NASA's X-59 breaks the sound barrier without the sonic boom

A “sonic thump” may not have the same awesomeness factor as a sonic boom, but it still has the right stuff. And like it or not, it’s the new standard in supersonic flight. NASA’s Quesst mission (“Quiet SuperSonic Technology”) is demonstrating the ability to fly faster than the speed of sound, but without generating the sonic booms that come with breaking the sound barrier. Also Read: What it’s like to fly in NASA’s ‘Vomit Comet’The X-59 aircraft…

Faster Than The speed of Sound: Watch NASA Test Its New X-59 Jet

This next-generation plane is made to go faster than sound without producing a full sonic boom, thereby avoiding the problems that Concorde had.

How NASA designed the X-59 to eliminate the sonic boom

NASA’s X-59 aircraft, part of the Quesst mission, can reach supersonic speeds without causing a sonic boom. Development of the aircraft began in 2018, starting with risk reduction studies. The aircraft was built by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California, and completed its first flight on Oct. 28., 2025.  The X-59 achieves its quiet… The post How NASA designed the X-59 to eliminate the sonic boom appeared first on Research & Developm…