NASA's X-59 Achieves First Supersonic Flight, Advancing Quiet Supersonic Technology
NASA's experimental X-59 aircraft successfully completed its first supersonic flight on June 5, 2026. The flight, which took place at Edwards Air Force Base in California, reached a speed of Mach 1.1, approximately 713 mph. This milestone is part of NASA's Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of quiet supersonic flight. The X-59 is designed to minimize the sonic boom typically associated with supersonic speeds, producing only a quiet thump. The flight lasted 81 minutes, with NASA test pilot Jim 'Clue' Less at the controls. The aircraft's performance met expectations, and the flight was monitored by a NASA F-15 chase plane. 
