In a recent development, NASA’s experimental X-59 aircraft has achieved a new milestone shortly after its initial supersonic test flight.
The aircraft is engineered to exceed the speed of sound without producing disruptive sonic booms; instead, it creates what NASA refers to as a “sonic thump.”
On Friday, the X-59 reached speeds of Mach 1.4, equivalent to approximately 924 miles per hour, at an altitude of 55,000 feet. This speed and altitude are essential for the aircraft to operate over populated regions. Future tests will provide NASA with important data regarding the noise levels perceived by people on the ground.
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When aircraft surpass the speed of sound, the resulting pressure waves are concentrated toward the rear, forming a cone. If this cone interacts with the ground, it results in a sonic boom. These loud noises, along with the high cost of technology, led to the retirement of the Concorde, the world’s only supersonic passenger plane, in 2003.
The X-59 aims for a quieter supersonic flight. Its extended nose design disperses the pressure waves, potentially resulting in only a “supersonic thump,” which NASA compares to a distant thunderclap or a car door shutting from afar.
NASA’s X‑59 eXternal Vision System (XVS) shows Mach 1.4 at 55,030 feet on Friday, June 12, 2026.
An F-15 research jet has been accompanying the X-59 on its flights to date. Due to the F-15’s traditional supersonic design, its sonic booms have overshadowed any sounds from the X-59. NASA intends to equip the F-15 with a shock sensor to gauge the X-59’s shock wave profile in upcoming flights, ensuring it meets performance expectations. Subsequent tests will involve flights at varying altitudes and speeds, alongside acoustic signature measurements.
“Each flight brings NASA one step closer to flying the X-59 over communities and gathering feedback that could help shape the future of commercial supersonic flight over land,” NASA said in a statement.
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