NASA’s X-59 Prepares for First Supersonic Flight
NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft is set to conduct its first supersonic flight tests. The aircraft aims to gather data on quiet supersonic flight, with initial flights planned for early June 2026. This milestone is part of NASA's Quesst mission to demonstrate the feasibility of flying over U.S. communities without producing disruptive sonic booms.
- ▪The X-59 is preparing for its first supersonic flight at approximately 43,000 feet altitude.
- ▪NASA aims for the X-59 to reach Mach 1.4 at 55,000 feet during subsequent tests.
- ▪The aircraft's design allows it to fly without producing a loud sonic boom, although initial tests will not demonstrate this capability.
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6 min readNASA’s X-59 Prepares for First Supersonic Flight Nicolas CholulaNASA Armstrong Public Affairs SpecialistRobert MargettaPublic Affairs SpeciailstMay 28, 2026 Article Contents Completed flights Next steps NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies over Rogers Dry Lake near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. NASA continues expanding the aircraft’s flight envelope through a series of lower-altitude and slower-speed flights ahead of upcoming flight tests at speeds faster than the speed of sound. NASA/Jim Ross NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft is preparing for some of its most significant flights yet.
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