Commercial Supersonic Technology

Quesst (X-59)

NASA’s X-59 Completes ‘Cruise Control’ Engine Speed Hold Test

The team behind NASA’s X-59 completed another critical ground test in March, ensuring the quiet supersonic aircraft will be able to maintain a specific speed during operation. The test, known as engine speed hold, is the latest marker of progress as the X-59 nears first flight this year. “Engine speed hold is essentially the aircraft’s […]

Posted March 26, 2025

Aeronautics

Quesst (X-59)

NASA Runs X-59 Engine with Maximum Afterburner for First Time

NASA completed the first maximum afterburner engine run test on its X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft on Dec. 12. The ground test, conducted at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, marks a significant milestone as the X-59 team progresses toward flight.

Posted December 20, 2024

Advanced Air Vehicles Program

Aeronautics

Quesst (X-59)

NASA to Test Technology for X-59’s Unique Shock Wave Measurements

NASA will soon test advancements made on a key tool for measuring the unique “sonic thumps” that its quiet supersonic X-59 research aircraft will make while flying. A shock-sensing probe is a cone-shaped air data probe developed with specific features to capture the unique shock waves the X-59 will produce.

Posted December 6, 2024

Advanced Air Vehicles Program

Aeronautics

Aeronautics Technology

Quesst (X-59)

Quesst: The Flights

NASA Instruments Will Listen for Supersonic X-59’s Quiet ‘Thump’

NASA’s X-59 experimental aircraft is unique – it’s designed to fly faster than the speed of sound, but without causing a loud sonic boom. To confirm the X-59’s ability to fly supersonic while only producing quiet sonic “thumps,” NASA needs to be able to record these sounds from the ground. The agency recently completed tests […]

Posted February 22, 2024

Aeronautics

Ames Research Center

Glenn Research Center

NASA Aircraft

Quesst (X-59)

Quesst: The Vehicle

NASA, Lockheed Martin Reveal X-59 Quiet Supersonic Aircraft

NASA and Lockheed Martin formally debuted the agency’s X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft Friday. Using this one-of-a-kind experimental airplane, NASA aims to gather data that could revolutionize air travel, paving the way for a new generation of commercial aircraft that can travel faster than the speed of sound.

Posted January 12, 2024

Aeronautics

Ames Research Center

Glenn Research Center

Quesst (X-59)

Quesst: The Vehicle

NASA’s X-59 Rollout Embodies Aeronautical Tradition

Lee esta historia en español aquí. NASA’s X-59 aircraft is heading out of the hangar – preparing to embark on the first phase of its mission to fly faster than the speed of sound without generating a loud sonic boom. Leadership from NASA and prime contractor Lockheed Martin will officially unveil the fully completed and […]

Posted January 9, 2024

Aeronautics

Ames Research Center

Glenn Research Center

Quesst (X-59)

Quesst: The Flights

Quesst: The Mission

Quesst: The Science

Quesst: The Team

Quesst: The Vehicle