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NASA Aeronautics and U.S. defense manufacturer Lockheed Martin Skunk Works start engine run testing of X-59 supersonic aircraft. This marks the final major system check-out of the aircraft before taxi tests and the first flight.

Lockheed Martin is conducting tests to evaluate the performance of the X-59’s inlet and nozzle, as well as the integration of aircraft and engine structures and systems. During the test, the X-59 aircraft was powered fully internally for the first time.

The tests also focus on fine-tuning engine control algorithms. Previously, the aircraft relied on external sources for electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic power to operate its systems.

The X-59 program manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, Pat LeBeau said, “It was an emotional high to see and hear another innovative, boundary-pushing Skunk Works X-plane come to life,” adding that “The team has done an incredible job, and we remain focused on the path forward to a safe and successful first flight.”

Engine runs are the final and essential system validation before the X-59’s first flight, confirming the aircraft’s ability to operate independently on its own power. These tests verify the engine’s functionality when controlled via the vehicle management system and engine computer. According to the Lockheed Martin statement, these tests also “verify the management of the fuel system, vibration and temperature interactions, and more.

After completing successful engine runs, the X-59 will undergo assessments for electromagnetic interference effects, tests simulating in-flight failure scenarios, and validation of the emergency power system. The statement further highlighted that “Once those are complete, the aircraft will undergo low-speed and high-speed taxi tests in preparation for [the] first flight.”

The X-59 supersonic aircraft made its debut on January 12, 2024, at the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, where the plane was designed. This one-of-a-kind experimental airplane will help NASA gather data that has the potential to set the stage for a new era of commercial aircraft that can travel faster than the speed of sound.

X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology to minimize the sonic booms

The X-59 plays a key role in NASA’s Quesst (Quiet SuperSonic Technology) mission, dedicated to gathering data for regulators to reconsider rules preventing commercial planes from going faster than the speed of sound over land and potentially open doors for efficient and noise-reduced supersonic commercial travel.

Sharing the details and ambition behind the Quesst project, Bob Pearce, associate administrator for aeronautics research at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said: “NASA will share the data and technology we generate from this one-of-a-kind mission with regulators and with industry. By demonstrating the possibility of quiet commercial supersonic travel over land, we seek to open new commercial markets for U.S. companies and benefit travelers around the world.”

Why is NASA building a quieter supersonic aircraft?

With this aircraft, NASA aims to solve the challenge of supersonic flight – the sonic boom. The X-59 has been designed to fly at supersonic speed without the disruptive sonic booms that are as loud as thunder or an explosion.

Sonic booms have long intrigued the aerospace industry. A sonic boom is the loud sound produced when an object travels through the air faster than the speed of sound, approximately 750 mph (1,200 kph) at sea level. This rapid movement creates shock waves that are heard as a loud, booming noise.

For the last 50 years, commercial supersonic travel over land has been banned by aviation regulators to protect people and buildings from sound and shock waves.

To address this issue with better engineering, NASA designed the X-59 to achieve faster speeds quietly. The aircraft will reduce the loudness of sonic booms to a gentle thump that is barely audible. The aircraft achieves this by separating the shock waves responsible for sonic booms, resulting in a quieter experience.

Key Features of X-59 Aircraft

Aerodynamics: With dimensions of 99.7 feet in length and 29.5 feet in width, the X-59’s shape and technological advancements enable quiet supersonic flight. The thin, tapered nose, comprising almost one-third of the aircraft’s length, breaks up shock waves, preventing traditional sonic booms.

Cockpit Innovation: The cockpit, located almost halfway down the aircraft’s length, does not have a forward-facing window. Instead, it features the eXternal Vision System, utilizing high-resolution cameras transmitting visuals to a 4K monitor within the cockpit.

Reducing loud sonic boom: The X-59 is a unique experimental plane expected to fly at the speed of Mach 1.4 or 925 mph. Despite its supersonic flight (faster than the speed of sound), its design and innovative technology will allow the aircraft to achieve high speeds while generating a quieter sonic thump.

Data Collection: The X-59 will soon fly over several cities across the U.S., collecting public feedback on the aircraft’s sound and perception. NASA will then share that data with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and international regulators to determine if supersonic commercial aviation over land should be legalized.

Unlocking commercial supersonic flights: The X-59, which is the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission, aims to provide data for regulators to reconsider rules restricting commercial supersonic flight over land. NASA intends to share the mission’s data and technology, showcasing the potential for quiet commercial supersonic travel to open new opportunities and benefit global travelers.