Quesst: The Vehicle

Quesst (X-59)

X-59 Model Tested in Japanese Supersonic Wind Tunnel

Researchers from NASA and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) recently tested a scale model of the X-59 experimental aircraft in a supersonic wind tunnel located in Chofu, Japan, to assess the noise audible underneath the aircraft. The test was an important milestone for NASA’s one-of-a-kind X-59, which is designed to fly faster than

Posted July 11, 2025

Aeronautics

Quesst (X-59)

NASA F-15s Validate Tools for Quesst Mission

High over the Mojave Desert, two NASA F-15 research jets made a series of flights throughout May to validate tools designed to measure and record the shock waves that will be produced by the agency’s X-59 quiet supersonic experimental aircraft. The F-15s, carrying the recording tools, flew faster than the speed of sound, matching the […]

Posted June 10, 2025

Aeronautics

Advanced Air Vehicles Program

Commercial Supersonic Technology

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

Commercial Supersonic Technology

NASA Aircraft

Quesst (X-59)