One of the biggest problems for planes pushing the speed limits in the sky is the trace they leave on the ground. The explosion-like noise that occurs when exceeding the speed of sound and can be heard from kilometers away is seen as one of the biggest obstacles to the widespread use of supersonic flights over residential areas. To solve this problem, NASA is working on a model that is quite different from conventional aircraft designs.
According to the news of FL360aero, the experimental Images from the aircraft's first long-distance flight also showed that a new phase has been reached in the testing process of this ambitious project.
THE FIRST LONG JOURNEY FROM CALIFORNIA TO FLORIDA
NASA's experimental aircraft X-59 took off from California on October 28, 2026 and headed to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The plane reportedly stopped in El Paso and Fort Worth, Texas, during its first cross-country journey.
In the images recorded during its landing in Fort Worth, it was seen that the X-59 was accompanied by a NASA F-15 fighter jet. This journey of the experimental model, which draws attention with its body structure different from conventional aircraft, is considered one of the important stages of the test program.
IT WILL EXCEED THE SPEED OF SOUND AND REDUCE THE NOISE ON THE GROUND
The purpose of developing the X-59, which is at the center of NASA's Quesst project, is to eliminate one of the biggest obstacles to supersonic flights. When conventional aircraft exceed the speed of sound, the shock waves created cause a sonic boom that sounds like a loud explosion on the ground.
X-59 was designed to control the formation and propagation of these sound waves. The aircraft's long and thin nose structure and aerodynamic body are intended to transform the traditional sonic boom into a lighter and lower-level sound.
NASA's main goal is to pave the way for supersonic aircraft to fly with lower noise not only over oceans but also over populated areas. For this reason, it is planned to fly the X-59 over different residential areas in the later stages of the project. The sound heard by residents on the ground during flights will be measured and the data obtained will be shared with aviation regulators.
IT MADE ITS FIRST FLIGHT IN 2025, REACHED MACH 1.1
The testing process of the X-59 has also passed important milestones. The experimental aircraft made its first flight on October 28, 2025. Then, on June 5, 2026, it exceeded the speed of sound for the first time, reaching Mach 1.1.
According to NASA's statement, this flight was an important milestone in the X-59's transition to the supersonic test phase. The aircraft, which passed the first anniversary of its first flight in October 2026, gradually expanded its speed and altitude limits throughout the tests.
The data obtained from the new flights is expected to help better understand how the aircraft directs sound waves and to what extent it can reduce noise on the ground.
IT COULD PAVE THE WAY FOR SUPERSONIC PASSENGER PLANES
Breaking the speed of sound has the potential to significantly shorten travel times. However, the noise created by the sonic boom in residential areas has long limited the spread of supersonic passenger transportation.
NASA evaluates that the technology developed with X-59 can provide a solution to this problem. If the project is successful, it may pave the way for the development of faster and quieter passenger aircraft in the future.
The results of the X-59's tests are important not only for new aircraft designs, but also for future aviation standards regarding the flights of supersonic aircraft over land. Thus, supersonic flights, which are limited today due to high noise, may be the beginning of a new era in commercial aviation in the future.
