NASA’s X-59 Reaches Mission Performance of Mach 1.4

NASA’s X-59 reached its mission performance of flying at 55,000 feet and at Mach 1.4 on Friday as the aircraft took a step toward its planned low-boom supersonic demonstration flights over communities. The envelope expansion came a week after the aircraft broke the sound barrier, flying at Mach 1.1 and reaching an altitude of 43,400 feet on June 5.

As part of the NASA Quesst mission, the X-plane will fly at 55,000 feet/Mach 1.4 over various communities in the U.S. to test public perception of noise surrounding newer supersonic technologies that produce a “quiet thump” versus loud sonic booms from legacy aircraft. Data from these test flights will be used to determine whether it would be feasible to lift the ban on civil supersonic flight over land.

NASA noted that the first supersonic flight verified aircraft performance, but “Friday’s mission conditions flight was an even more critical step.” The agency said the aircraft still has months of performance testing before flights over communities begin.

In upcoming flights, NASA’s F-15 research aircraft will be equipped with a shock-sensing probe to measure the X-59’s shock wave signature. In addition, the team will conduct tests at various altitudes and conditions before the acoustic validation phase. Designed in concert with Lockheed Martin, the X-59 will be able to fly at speeds up to Mach 1.6 and altitudes up to 60,000 feet.