NASA, Lockheed’s Supersonic X-59 ‘Returned Prematurely’ on Second Flight

Supersonic test aircraft aimed to reach 260 mph at altitude of 20,000 feet.

Jack Daleo

Friday, March 20, 2026 at 05:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

NASA engineers conducted engine run testing on Thursday, March 12, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, ahead of the X-59’s second flight. [Credit: NASA/Jim Ross]

Key Takeaways:

NASA and Lockheed Martin's X-59 experimental supersonic jet made a premature return during its second test flight, landing safely before achieving all planned speed and altitude objectives.
The X-59 is designed to produce significantly quieter "sonic thumps" instead of traditional sonic booms, with the aim of gathering data to inform new regulations for commercial supersonic flight over land.
Future plans for the X-59 include further envelope expansion, acoustic testing, and community response surveys across the U.S. to validate its quiet supersonic technology.

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NASA and Lockheed Martin’s X-59—a prototype design for a quiet, supersonic commercial airliner—“returned prematurely” to Edwards Air Force Base (KEDW) in California during its second flight Friday, the space agency said.

NASA in a social media post said the experimental plane took off from Edwards at 1:54 p.m. EDT, but a “return-to-base call” prompted it to land before achieving its envelope expansion objectives—reaching 260 mph and 20,000 feet.