NASA’s X-59 QueSST (Quiet Supersonic Technology) aircraft flies, aiming to prove that supersonic travel can be quiet enough to lift the ban on sonic booms over land. Unlike the Concorde, which faced insurmountable challenges due to its loud sonic booms, the X-59 is designed to cruise at Mach 1.42 (about 940 mph) at an altitude of 55,000 feet while producing just a soft “sonic thump” barely noticeable on the ground.
This futuristic jet is 99.7 feet long with a 29.5-foot wingspan and weighs approximately 32,000 pounds. Propelled by a powerful General Electric F414-GE-100 engine borrowed from the F/A-18 the X-59 features a highly streamlined airframe with a distinctive long, pointed nose shaping shockwaves to minimize noise. Instead of traditional windows, the pilot relies on a high-definition camera and monitor system for external visibility. The aircraft’s cockpit and landing gear are adaptations from existing military jets like the Northrop T-38 and F-16, helping reduce development costs.
After years in the making, the X-59 successfully took off for its first flight in late October 2025, remaining subsonic but testing critical systems. Gradual steps will increase speed and altitude until full supersonic flight is achieved. NASA will then conduct sonic boom measurements and community noise acceptability tests, essential for future regulation and commercial supersonic aviation.
The significance of the X-59 intends to redefine supersonic travel for a new generation, turning commercial flights from New York to Los Angeles into hour-long trips without the noise pollution that once grounded the Concorde.
