Quesst (X-59)

Quesst (X-59)

NASA’s X-59 Turns Up Power, Throttles Through Engine Tests

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft took another successful step toward flight with the conclusion of a series of engine performance tests. In preparation for the X-59’s planned first flight this year, NASA and Lockheed Martin successfully completed the aircraft’s engine run tests in January.

Posted February 11, 2025

Advanced Air Mobility

Aeronautics

C-20A

DC-8

Earth Science

ER-2

Flight Opportunities Program

Quesst (X-59)

Sustainable Flight Demonstrator

2024: NASA Armstrong Prepares for Future Innovative Research Efforts

NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, is preparing today for tomorrow’s mission. Supersonic flight, next generation aircraft, advanced air mobility, climate changes, human exploration of space, and the next innovation are just some of the topics our researchers, engineers, and mission support teams focused on in 2024.

Posted December 20, 2024

Aeronautics

Commercial Supersonic Technology

Integrated Aviation Systems Program

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

Commercial Supersonic Technology

Integrated Aviation Systems Program

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

Quesst (X-59)

X-59’s Engine Started for Testing

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft sits in its run stall at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, in this image from Oct. 30, 2024. The 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. In previous tests, […]

Posted November 6, 2024

Aeronautics

Ames Research Center

Langley Research Center

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

Ames Research Center

Langley Research Center

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

Ames Research Center

Integrated Aviation Systems Program

Langley Research Center

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)