Latest news with #X-59
Time of India
a day 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.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Science
- The Irish Sun
NASA's ‘Son of Concorde' jet that will HALVE flight time from US to London step closer to take-off with runway test
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 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, Nasa revealed it struck 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. read more in tech 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 Most read in Science 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." Supersonic and Hypersonic Jets There are several types of hypersonic and supersonic jets. A breakdown of what's been happening in the industry and what's expected in the coming years. Talon-A Built by Stratolaunch Reported speeds of Mach 5 The first test flight conducted in 2024 Built by Nasa and Lockheed Martin Predicted max speeds of Mach 1.4 The first test flight in 2025 - but subject to delays Built by Venus Aerospace and Velontra Predicted max speeds of Mach 6 First test flight in 2025 Built by Hermeus Predicted max speeds of Mach 2.5 First test flight in 2026 Built by Hermeus Predicted max speeds of Mach 5 First test flight by 2030 Built by China's hypersonic plane programme Predicted max speeds of Mach 6 First test flight in 2025 Built by Hypersonix Launch Systems Predicted max speeds of Mach 7 First test flight in 2025
Scottish Sun
3 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
3 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.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Science
- New York Post
NASA's supersonic X-59 jet that could slash NYC-London flight time in half taxis closer to take off
Breakfast in New York, midmorning snack in London. Taxi tests are underway on a highly anticipated supersonic plane designed to quietly break the sound barrier — and slash flight time between New York and London in half. The X-59 jet, dubbed the 'son of Concorde,' is one step closer to takeoff after the experimental aircraft taxied on a California runway at low speed using its own power for the first time on July 10, NASA said in a press release. The ground maneuvers at the US Air Force's Plant 42 in Palmdale mark the final series of trials for the 100-foot-long, 30-foot-wide jet before its maiden voyage, which is slated for sometime this year, according to the space agency. 3 NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft taxiing on a runway. Youtube/NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center '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,' officials said. The high-tech plane, unveiled by NASA and Lockheed Martin last year, is the centerpiece of the space agency's QueSST mission to produce a quieter sonic boom for communities below and revolutionize air travel, potentially cutting transit time down significantly for commercial flights. It could possibly fly from New York to London flight in three and a half hours, the agency previously said. 3 NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft conducting its final tests before its maiden voyage. Carla Thomas/NASA / SWNS The new aircraft's innovative design and shape will cause it to produce a quiet 'thump' sound as it reaches speeds of up to 925 miles per hour, officials said. Supersonic flights have been banned in the US and other countries for the past half-century due to the thunderous sound generated when planes exceed the speed of sound — 767 miles per hour. 3 The aircraft is expected to revolutionize air travel. NASA But the X-59's thin, tapered nose is expected to break up shock waves that would cause the high-speed roar on a conventional aircraft, NASA previously boasted. The latest innovation will succeed the British Airways Concorde, which reached speeds of around 1,350 miles per hour and completed its fastest transatlantic flight in just under three hours on Feb. 7, 1996. The aircraft, which debuted in 1976, was plagued by costly maintenance and a fatal 2000 crash. It was retired from commercial service in 2003.
