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 facility for final assembly and system checkouts following extensive ground tests.
The aircraft is designed to mitigate the loud sonic boom of supersonic flight, reducing it to a quiet "sonic thump" through its distinctive aerodynamic shape.
Scheduled for demonstration flights in 2024, the X-59 project aims to collect data to help shape regulations for future commercial supersonic flight over land.
These demonstration flights will also gauge public reaction to the quieter "thumps" produced by the aircraft.

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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.