Latest news with #Quesst
UPI
7 hours ago
- Science
- UPI
NASA's X-59 moves under its own power
NASA determined that its experimental X-59 aircraft can move under its own power following a test on July 10, 2025. The success of the test could lead to quieter supersonic aircrafts. Photo by Carla Thomas/NASA July 22 (UPI) -- NASA's quest for a quieter supersonic jet passed an early test after its X-59 aircraft was able to taxi at low speed at a manufacturing plant in California. The space agency on Tuesday announced the latest milestone for NASA's X-59 that is part of its Quesst mission to test the possibility of a supersonic aircraft with more muted sonic booms that will allow less noisy flights over populated areas. The X-59 was able to move under its own power during the test that took place last week, taxiing across the runway at the U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, Calif. As the aircraft taxied, engineers and flight crews observed the X-59 to evaluate its steering, braking and other important functions. The test was one of the final hurdles for the X-59 before its first flight, according to the agency. NASA engineers began test-firing the single-engine experimental aircraft at a Lockheed Martin facility last fall to see if its systems are functional. NASA plans to fly the X-59 between residential areas in 2026 and ask residents about the noise it produces while exceeding the speed of sound. If the X-59 works as intended it will produce a soft thud instead of the loud booms associated with sonic aircrafts. The aircraft has no windshield because its pilot can't see over it, as well as delta-shaped wings with a span of 29.5 feet and has a maximum takeoff weight of 32,300 pounds -- lighter than many commercial planes. Following the successful test, NASA engineers will gradually increase the X-59's taxing speed stopping short of where it would take off, according to the agency. Data from the X-59 will be shared with U.S. and international regulators to develop new regulations on noise threshold for commercial supersonic land flights.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
NASA's X-59 supersonic jet could fly you from New York to Paris in half the time
In a major leap toward the future of high-speed travel , 's experimental X-59 supersonic jet is moving closer to its first flight and could revolutionize air journeys around the world. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Nicknamed the 'son of Concorde,' the X-59 has successfully completed its initial low-speed taxi tests, marking a crucial milestone in its development. Designed to drastically cut travel times, the aircraft aims to fly passengers from cities like New York to Paris in nearly half the duration of current commercial flights . Its standout feature is the ability to fly faster than sound while minimizing the disruptive sonic boom, replacing it with a much quieter 'thump.' This advancement could pave the way for a new era of supersonic travel. NASA's ground tests bring X-59 supersonic jet closer to first flight On July 10, NASA conducted low-speed taxi tests of the 100-foot-long, 30-foot-wide aircraft at the U.S. Air Force's Plant 42 facility in Palmdale, California. These tests involved moving the aircraft under its own power to evaluate braking, steering, and ground handling systems. Engineers monitored system performance in real time to ensure everything functioned as intended. The tests mark the final phase of ground trials before the jet progresses to high-speed taxiing and eventual takeoff. NASA's X-59 Quiet Supersonic Aircraft Begins Taxi Tests Unlike earlier supersonic jets like the Concorde, the X-59 is engineered to reduce the loud sonic boom that typically occurs when breaking the sound barrier. This "quiet supersonic technology" is a key component of NASA's Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate the feasibility of commercial supersonic flight over land without disturbing communities. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now If successful, it could lead to regulatory changes that make supersonic air travel more widely accessible. What's next for the X-59 With the low-speed taxi tests completed, the X-59 will now undergo high-speed ground testing, followed by its long-awaited first flight, expected later this year. During flight trials, NASA will collect data on performance, acoustics, and flight stability. The results will be shared with international aviation authorities to inform future noise regulations for supersonic aircraft. If the X-59 delivers on its promise, it could slash flight times between major cities to just a few hours. More importantly, it signals a turning point in aviation history by combining speed with sustainability and public acceptance. NASA's vision goes beyond breaking speed records. It is about reshaping global connectivity for generations to come.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Science
- Scottish Sun
NASA's ‘Son of Concorde' jet that will HALVE flight time from US to London step closer to take-off with runway test
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NASA's supersonic "Son of Concorde" plane which will halve the travel time between London and New York is zooming ever closer to take-off. The X-59 jet will even break the sound barrier when it flies - but won't produce a sonic boom, thanks to its unique design. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Concept illustration of the X-59 shooting through the sky Credit: SWNS 5 Nasa and Lockheed Martin are speeding ahead with tests of the supersonic X-59 jet Credit: Lockheed Martin / Gary Tice 5 The 30m-long and 9m-wide plane has a sharp, stiletto-style nose Credit: Alamy When up and running, the aircraft will hurtle along at altitudes of at speeds of 937mph at 55,000 feet up. Nasa revealed it struck another milestone in the plane's journey toward the skies with crucial low-speed taxiing tests. The X-59 moved around purely under its own power for the first time at US Air Force Plant 42 on July 10. Taxiing is the final stage of ground tests before Nasa can take it up into the skies - and the maiden voyage is chalked for later this year. Over the coming weeks, pilots will gradually increase the speed on the runway - leading to high-speed manoeuvres when it will travel fast enough to take off. Engineers tested key systems like steering and breaking during the low-speed run through. Nasa said: "These checks help ensure the aircraft's stability and control across a range of conditions, giving pilots and engineers confidence that all systems are functioning as expected." The X-59 is the crown jewel in Nasa's Quesst mission - which aims to prove supersonic flight is possible without a deafening sonic boom. Instead, the X-59 will produce a much quieter sonic "thump". Currently, commercial passenger planes are banned from going at such speeds – if they were able to – over land in the UK and US on account of the noise levels. Near-supersonic jet that can fly London-New York at speeds 'not seen since Concorde' unveiled with luxury living spaces The 30m-long and 9m-wide X-59 has a sharp, stiletto-style nose that engineers believe will reduce the noise The space agency believes their new jet could fly from London to New York in three-and-a-half hours. Lori Ozoroski, a project manager at Nasa, previously said: "We had a commercial supersonic aircraft, the Concorde. "But it was limited during its flights that it could not fly, say into, you know, somewhere in the middle of the U.S. "You were not allowed to fly supersonic over land. 5 The jet's F414-GE-100 engine is mounted on top of the aircraft Credit: Lockheed Martin / Gary Tice 5 The X-59 has a sharp nose designed to reduce the sonic boom Credit: Reuters "So most of the flights were back and forth just over the ocean. And so again, that ban has been in place for 50 years, over 50 years in the US. "A lot of international countries as well have similar bans. "And so the whole goal of this research that we're doing right now is to lift that ban and set a speed limit for commercial supersonic aircraft rather than a speed limit." Lori added: "The sound level is more like – we've done studies – it's more like a car door closing, you know, across the street at your neighbour's house rather than the very loud typical sonic boom."
NDTV
4 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
NASA's X-59 Supersonic Jet Could Take You From New York To London In Half The Time
The dream of significantly shorter transatlantic flights is rapidly approaching reality as NASA's experimental X-59 supersonic jet, dubbed the "son of Concorde," successfully completed its initial taxi tests. These crucial ground manoeuvres, which saw the aircraft move under its own power at low speed, bring the groundbreaking plane one step closer to its highly anticipated maiden flight later this year. On July 10, the 100-foot-long, 30-foot-wide X-59 demonstrated its capabilities on a runway at the US Air Force's Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, marking a significant milestone in its development, NASA said in a press release. The successful taxi tests are the final series of trials before the X-59 takes to the skies, an event that could usher in a new era of supersonic travel, potentially halving flight times between major cities like New York and London. Imagine breakfast in New York and a mid-morning snack in London, a prospect that the X-59 aims to make a reality. Watch the video here: According to the space agency, the taxiing represents the X-59's last series of ground tests before its first flight. Over the coming weeks, the aircraft will gradually increase its speed, leading up to a high-speed taxi test that will take the aircraft just short of the point where it would take off. During the low-speed tests, engineers and flight crews monitored how the X-59 handled as it moved across the runway, working to validate critical systems like steering and braking. These checks help ensure the aircraft's stability and control across a range of conditions, giving pilots and engineers confidence that all systems are functioning as expected. The X-59 is the centrepiece of NASA's Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight by reducing the loud sonic boom to a quieter "thump." Data gathered from the X-59 will be shared with U.S. and international regulators to inform the establishment of new, data-driven acceptable noise thresholds related to supersonic commercial flight over land.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mirror
NASA tests new supersonic plane with revolutionary tech that solves Concorde's fatal flaw
NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft has officially begun taxi tests, marking the first time this one-of-a-kind experimental aircraft has moved under its own power NASA is testing a new aircraft that could pave the way for a new era of supersonic air travel by addressing an issue at the heart of Concorde's commercial failure. The dream of a 'son of Concorde ' capable of whisking passengers from New York to London in under four hours is edging closer to reality. NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft has officially begun taxi tests, a significant milestone as this unique experimental plane moves under its own power for the first time. On 10 July, NASA test pilot Nils Larson, alongside the X-59 team comprising NASA and Lockheed Martin staff, carried out the craft's inaugural low-speed taxi test at the U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. This taxiing phase signals the final ground test sequence before the X-59's maiden flight. In the upcoming weeks, the aircraft will incrementally boost its speed, culminating in a high-speed taxi test that will bring it tantalisingly close to lift-off. During these initial low-speed trials, engineering and flight teams observed the X-59's performance on the tarmac, ensuring essential systems like steering and braking are operating correctly. These evaluations are crucial for confirming the aircraft's stability and control under various scenarios, instilling confidence in pilots and engineers that all systems are functioning optimally. At the heart of NASA's Quesst mission, the X-59 aims to revolutionise quiet supersonic travel by transforming the traditionally loud sonic boom into a more subdued "thump." This is considered key to the commercial success of any supersonic air travel. Crashing through the sound barrier causes a huge bang that has big consequences for those on the ground. During a 1965 test of the original Concorde over Oklahoma city by the US Air Force, hundreds of reports of smashed windows were made. The potential to cause this kind of disruption meant that Concorde could only fly certain routes at supersonic, meaning no high-speed flights over land. This crushed the business case for the aircraft in the US as cities such as Los Angeles and New York could not be linked up effectively. Guy Gratton, associate professor of aviation and the environment at Cranfield University, told the Mirror how NASA's new 'quiet' tech is causing is a huge amount of excitement in the industry. "From what I've been able to read, it does work. As a supersonic aircraft flies, every leading part of the aircraft creates a shockwave, and that shockwave creates a sonic boom. The NASA tech has shaped the aircraft so as the shockwaves move away from the plane in flight, they interact with each other and cancel each other out," he explained. The X-59 is expected to reach speeds of Mach 1.5, or roughly 990 mph (1,590 km/h), which could potentially cut the London to New York flight time down to approximately 3 hours and 44 minutes - a significant reduction from the usual 7-8 hour journey. In 2023, NASA explored the feasibility of supersonic passenger air travel on aircraft capable of reaching speeds between Mach 2 and Mach 4 (1,535-3,045 mph). Information collected from the X-59 will be shared with U.S. and international regulators to help establish new, data-driven noise standards for supersonic commercial flights over land.
