NASA's Supersonic X-59 Readying For Structural Testing

Experimental aircraft is expected to be shipped to Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas by year's end.

Mark Spoor

Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at 07:07 PM ET

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The aircraft will undergo ground testing to ensure it can hold up to flight loads and stresses. Credit: NASA

Key Takeaways:

NASA's X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) experimental aircraft aims to reduce loud sonic booms to quiet "thumps" during supersonic flight.
The project's goal is to collect data to help shape new regulations, potentially allowing commercial supersonic flight over land, which is currently banned.
The X-59 is being transported to Texas for structural testing by the end of 2021, with its first flight slated for the coming year.

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NASA’s low-boom supersonic experimental aircraft will soon be transported from the production floor at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company’s Skunk Works factory in Palmdale, California, to Texas for structural testing.

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

NASA’s Supersonic X-59 Readying For Structural Testing

Experimental aircraft is expected to be shipped to Lockheed Martin’s facility in Fort Worth, Texas by year's end.

Key Takeaways:

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