NASA's X-59 aircraft has exceeded the speed of sound
NASA's X-59 experimental supersonic aircraft has successfully completed its 25th test flight. During the flight, the aircraft reached a speed of over 1,200 kilometers per hour at an altitude of 15 kilometers.
NASA's X-59 aircraft has exceeded the speed of sound
During the testing process, the X-59 not only achieved high speed, but its key performance indicators set in calculations regarding stability, controllability, and structural loads were also confirmed.
However, the most important result of this flight is not the speed of the aircraft. For NASA, the main issue is how low of a noise the X-59 generates on the ground when flying supersonic.
Typically, when an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound, shock waves are generated, and a very loud explosion-like sound — a "sonic boom" — is heard on the ground. It is this loud noise that is considered one of the main factors preventing commercial supersonic aircraft flights over populated areas.
The X-59 was designed specifically to eliminate this problem. Engineers created the aircraft's structure in such a way that instead of a traditional loud sonic boom, a much lower, light thump-like sound should be heard on the ground.
The test results show that the X-59 is gradually confirming the calculated performance indicators set by its developers.
The next important phase will be to accurately measure the aircraft's acoustic signature. These tests are planned to begin in the later months of 2026.
To do this, researchers will install a special network of sensors on the ground. Microphones will also be placed on airborne platforms. They will measure the shock waves generated when the X-59 travels at supersonic speeds.
The collected data will allow specialists to determine the exact acoustic characteristics of the X-59 during supersonic flight.
According to Larry Cliatt, technical lead for acoustic testing within NASA's Quesst mission, this phase will be an important test not only for the aircraft itself, but also for the engineering methods and tools used to create it.
In his opinion, these technologies could serve as a basis for designing commercial supersonic aircraft in the future.
At the same time, the X-59 still faces complex test flights ahead. Their main task is to prove that the aircraft can indeed generate a much lower sound compared to a traditional "sonic boom" — the very purpose for which it was created.
If ground-based acoustic tests show that the shock sound generated by the X-59 is low enough to fly over populated areas, NASA will move to the next phase.