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Supersonic Flight Without the Boom? X-59 Tests Continue
8 Sep
Summary
- NASA's X-59 completed its 25th flight at nearly 49,000 feet.
- The jet aims to produce a quiet sonic thump, not a loud boom.
- This quiet supersonic technology could enable overland commercial flights.
NASA's X-59 experimental supersonic jet recently completed its 25th flight, a significant step before its noise levels are rigorously tested. The aircraft achieved Mach 1.2 at an altitude of approximately 49,000 feet during its flight from Edwards, California.
The X-59 is engineered to surpass the sound barrier without generating the disruptive sonic boom. Previous flights have validated its performance models. Researchers are now preparing for the acoustic validation phase, where they will meticulously measure the jet's acoustic signature.
This phase aims to confirm that the X-59 produces a quiet sonic thump, a stark contrast to the traditional boom. If successful, this technology could unlock the possibility of commercial supersonic travel over land, a long-held goal for aviation.
Extensive data review and minor software adjustments have been conducted between flights, ensuring the aircraft's stability. The upcoming acoustic validation is described as the biggest benchmark, focusing on demonstrating the X-59's ability to achieve its quiet sonic thump design objective.
