NASA’s new experimental aircraft will thud into the night – that’s the plan, anyway. The X-59, scheduled to be unveiled Friday in Palmdale, Calif., is designed to reduce sound levels when traveling at supersonic speeds.
“NASA’s X-59 is a one-of-a-kind experimental aircraft that will demonstrate the ability to fly at supersonic speeds while producing a gentle ‘sonic thud’ rather than the typically noisy sonic boom,” NASA said in a news release. There is,” he said.
Collaboration with airplanes lockheed martin skunk worksis the centerpiece of NASA’s Quest mission, which aims to minimize travel time across international borders by enabling supersonic flight over land.
The United States banned non-military aircraft from flying at supersonic speeds over land in 1973 due to public concerns about sonic booms over populated areas. NASA recently studied transoceanic supersonic flightIn theory, it could transport passengers from New York City to London in less than two hours.
“There is no doubt that we are poised to write a new chapter in the history of supersonic flight, making air travel over land twice as fast, yet safer and more sustainable,” said Peter Cohen of NASA Quest. “It’s possible and we’ll do it in a much quieter way than before.” Mission Integration Manager said in a statement in April.
The X-59 is scheduled to fly this year. Once fully operational and tested, NASA plans to fly the aircraft over select U.S. cities in 2026 to gather feedback from the public about the sounds the aircraft makes.
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