NASA’s Supersonic X-59 Clears Critical Ground Tests

The experimental supersonic aircraft has returned to Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility in California for final assembly.

Kimberly Johnson

Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 04:27 PM ET

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The X-59 is lowered to the ground at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, after a crane operation to remove it from the back of its transport. [Courtesy: NASA/Lauren Hughes]

Key Takeaways:

NASA's X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) experimental aircraft has returned to Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works for final assembly and system checkouts after completing ground tests in Texas.
The aircraft is designed to reduce the loud sonic boom of supersonic flight to a quiet "thump."
The project aims to collect data to inform regulations for future commercial supersonic flight over land and gauge public reaction to the quieter sound.
Demonstration flights are slated to begin in 2024.

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Following months of ground tests, NASA’s low-boom supersonic experimental aircraft has returned to Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works factory in Palmdale, California, for the next phase of assembly, NASA said Wednesday.

The X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) experimental aircraft is part of NASA’s Low Boom Flight Demonstration project aimed at collecting data to help shape regulations for possible future commercial supersonic flight over land.