Soaring Silence: NASA’s X-59 Test

NASA is poised to advance the future of supersonic travel with its innovative X-59 aircraft, designed to fly faster than the speed of sound without producing disruptive sonic booms. A media teleconference is scheduled for March 19, 2026, to discuss the upcoming test flights of this quiet supersonic aircraft. The event follows the successful engine run testing on March 12 at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California.

The X-59, integral to NASA’s Quesst mission, aims to make commercial supersonic flight over land feasible, potentially reducing travel times dramatically worldwide. During the teleconference, NASA leadership, alongside representatives from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, will outline the aircraft’s performance and future testing phases. Test pilots Jim “Clue” Less and Nils Larson will share insights into the flying experience and the preparation involved.

Following its second flight at Edwards Air Force Base, the X-59 will undergo a series of tests termed ‘envelope expansion.’ These tests will gradually push the aircraft to higher speeds and altitudes to ensure safety and assess performance, leading to evaluations of its unique acoustic profile. This phase is crucial as NASA works towards enabling quieter supersonic travel across the globe. For further details on the X-59 and its mission, media personnel are required to RSVP for the virtual conference by contacting NASA at the provided email addresses.