NASA's X-59 supersonic aircraft completes its first two flights

NASA successfully conducted two test flights of its experimental supersonic X-59 aircraft in a single day. This milestone occurred on April 30 in California and represents a key phase of the Quesst mission. During flights 11 and 12, the aircraft was tested at altitudes ranging from 3.6 to 13 kilometers and at speeds of 0.8–0.95 Mach, close to the speed of sound. This is reported by Ixbt.com .

The primary goal of the X-59 project is to mitigate the loud sonic boom generated during supersonic flight. Developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin, the aircraft features a unique long, slender nose designed to redistribute shock waves, reducing the noise to a soft thump similar to a car door closing. The intense sonic boom has been the reason for the decades-long ban on civil supersonic flights over populated areas.

Project manager Cathy Bahm noted that conducting two flights in one day significantly accelerates the data collection process. This method allows the team to complete the first two phases of the Quesst program by the end of 2026 while adhering to safety requirements. Between each flight, the aircraft is quickly refueled and prepared for the next test.

The success of this technology could pave the way for revising international aviation regulations and bringing supersonic passenger aircraft back to civil aviation. If the "quiet supersonic" technology proves successful, it will usher in a new era for the global aviation industry.