Quesst: The Vehicle

Quesst (X-59)

NASA X-59’s Latest Testing Milestone: Simulating Flight from the Ground

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft successfully completed a critical series of tests in which the airplane was put through its paces for cruising high above the California desert – all without ever leaving the ground. “The idea behind these tests is to command the airplane’s subsystems and flight computer to function as if it […]

Posted May 16, 2025

Aeronautics

Quesst (X-59)

NASA’s X-59 Completes Electromagnetic Testing

NASA’s quiet supersonic X-59 research aircraft has cleared electromagnetic testing, confirming its systems will work together safely, without interference across a range of scenarios. “Reaching this phase shows that the aircraft integration is advancing,” said Yohan Lin, NASA’s X-59 avionics lead.

Posted February 26, 2025

Aeronautics

Quesst (X-59)

X-59 Fires Up its Engine for First Time on its Way to Takeoff

Lee esta historia en español aquí. NASA’s Quesst mission marked a major milestone with the start of tests on the engine that will power the quiet supersonic X-59 experimental aircraft. These engine-run tests, which began Oct. 30, allow the X-59 team to verify the aircraft’s systems are working together while powered by its own engine. […]

Posted November 6, 2024

Aeronautics

Quesst (X-59)

NASA’s X-59 Progresses Through Tests on the Path to Flight

The team preparing NASA’s X-59 continues through testing in preparation for the quiet supersonic aircraft to make its first flight. This includes a trio of important structural tests and critical inspections on the path to flight. The X-59 is an experimental plane that will fly faster than the speed of sound without a loud sonic […]

Posted August 13, 2024

Aeronautics

Quesst (X-59)

Quesst: The Flights

NASA’s X-59 Passes Milestone Toward Safe First Flight

NASA has taken the next step toward verifying the airworthiness for its quiet supersonic X-59 aircraft with the completion of a milestone review that will allow it to progress toward flight. A Flight Readiness Review board composed of independent experts from across NASA has completed a study of the X-59 project team’s approach to safety […]

Posted May 15, 2024

Aeronautics

NASA Aircraft

Quesst (X-59)

NASA’s X-59 Passes Milestone Toward Safe First Flight

Posted May 15, 2024

Aeronautics

NASA Aircraft

Quesst (X-59)

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

Quesst (X-59)

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

Quesst (X-59)

Quesst: The Flights

Quesst: The Mission

Quesst: The Science

Quesst: The Team