NASA's Supersonic Jet Takes to the Skies in California for First Flight
In a major milestone, NASA's highly anticipated supersonic jet, X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology (Quesst), has successfully completed its inaugural flight in California. The aircraft, which aims to revolutionize commercial air travel by reducing sonic booms, took off from US Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale and landed at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards.
According to Lockheed Martin, the flight was a resounding success, with the jet performing as expected. The company verified initial flying qualities and air data performance, paving the way for future tests that will measure the X-59's sound signature and conduct community acceptance testing.
At its core, the X-59 project is driven by the ambitious goal of making supersonic flights commercially viable. By reaching speeds over Mach 1 (768 miles per hour), these flights could drastically reduce travel times, while also being significantly quieter than traditional supersonic aircraft. The Quesst design boasts a number of innovative features, including a top-mounted engine and an ultra-sharp nose.
However, the path to commercialization has been fraught with regulatory hurdles. In 1973, the US government imposed a ban on supersonic flights over land due to concerns about noise pollution and property damage. This ban remained in place for decades until President Donald Trump lifted it as part of an executive order in June 2025.
Now, with NASA and Lockheed Martin's X-59 leading the charge, there is a renewed sense of urgency to bring this technology to fruition. The project will play a crucial role in establishing new noise thresholds related to supersonic commercial flight over land, paving the way for a future where supersonic travel becomes a reality.
In a major milestone, NASA's highly anticipated supersonic jet, X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology (Quesst), has successfully completed its inaugural flight in California. The aircraft, which aims to revolutionize commercial air travel by reducing sonic booms, took off from US Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale and landed at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards.
According to Lockheed Martin, the flight was a resounding success, with the jet performing as expected. The company verified initial flying qualities and air data performance, paving the way for future tests that will measure the X-59's sound signature and conduct community acceptance testing.
At its core, the X-59 project is driven by the ambitious goal of making supersonic flights commercially viable. By reaching speeds over Mach 1 (768 miles per hour), these flights could drastically reduce travel times, while also being significantly quieter than traditional supersonic aircraft. The Quesst design boasts a number of innovative features, including a top-mounted engine and an ultra-sharp nose.
However, the path to commercialization has been fraught with regulatory hurdles. In 1973, the US government imposed a ban on supersonic flights over land due to concerns about noise pollution and property damage. This ban remained in place for decades until President Donald Trump lifted it as part of an executive order in June 2025.
Now, with NASA and Lockheed Martin's X-59 leading the charge, there is a renewed sense of urgency to bring this technology to fruition. The project will play a crucial role in establishing new noise thresholds related to supersonic commercial flight over land, paving the way for a future where supersonic travel becomes a reality.