NASA’s X-59 Quesst (Quiet SuperSonic Technology) jet is progressing toward its first flight test. The aircraft was designed to fly at a cruising speed of Mach 1.4 (1.4 times the speed of sound) and at an altitude of 55,000 feet. The goal is to prove that supersonic flight is possible without a loud sonic boom, which would revolutionize commercial air transport, disaster relief, and medical transport.
During the first phase of testing, engineers ran the X-59’s engine at low rpm to check for leaks and proper functioning. If successful, the X-59 could lead to passenger planes that fly faster than the speed of sound without creating a disruptive sound blast.
