NASA’s X-59 research plane recently achieved significant milestones in speed and altitude, demonstrating its capability for planned supersonic flights over US communities. In a test flight conducted on a Friday, the X-59 reached Mach 1.4, approximately 924 mph, while ascending to an altitude of 55,000 feet. This flight followed a previous test on June 5, where it achieved Mach 1.1.
The X-59 is engineered to fly at supersonic speeds without generating a loud sonic boom, instead producing what NASA describes as a “quiet sonic thump.” Currently, it operates alongside another research craft that produces a sonic boom to mask the noise during testing phases.
NASA stated that this latest test marked a more critical advancement than the last, successfully meeting key objectives set for the upcoming Quesst mission. This mission, still months away, aims to have the X-59 fly over populated areas to collect public perceptions of the sonic thump it generates.
Prior to the Quesst mission, the X-59 will undergo an acoustic validation phase to assess its supersonic acoustic signature, ensuring it can break the sound barrier without creating a traditional sonic boom. The agency is focused on refining the aircraft’s performance for future community flights.
