Armstrong Flight Research Center

NASA’s X-59 Experimental Supersonic Aircraft Makes Second Flight

NASA’s quiet supersonic X-59 aircraft made its second flight on Friday, kicking off a series of dozens of test flights in 2026. Although the flight duration was abbreviated due to a technical issue, the team was able to collect information that will inform future tests. “Despite the early landing, this is a good day for the team.

Posted March 21, 2026

Advanced Air Vehicles Program

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

Aeronautics Technology

Ames Research Center

Commercial Supersonic Technology

Glenn Research Center

High-Speed Flight

Integrated Aviation Systems Program

Low Boom Flight Demonstrator

NASA Aircraft

Quesst (X-59)

Quesst: The Vehicle

Supersonic Flight

NASA’s X-59 Prepares for Second Flight

NASA’s X-59 experimental aircraft is preparing for its second flight, a step that will set the pace for more flight testing in 2026. Over the coming months, NASA will take the quiet supersonic jet faster and higher, while validating safety and performance, a process known as envelope expansion. NASA test pilot Jim “Clue” Less will be at the X-59’

Posted March 17, 2026

Quesst (X-59)

Aeronautics

Aeronautics Research

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

Aeronautics Technology

Science & Research

NASA Invites Media to Learn About Upcoming X-59 Test Flights

NASA will hold a media teleconference at 5:30 p.m. EDT on Thursday, March 19 to highlight plans for its X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft’s upcoming flight tests. The teleconference is set to take place after the X-59 is scheduled to complete its second flight, in California. For the media call, NASA leadership will join representatives from […]

Posted March 16, 2026

Aeronautics

Doing Business with NASA

Events

Partner With Us

Science in the Air

NASA Armstrong to Host Partnership Days April 15-16

NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, invites innovative companies, government agencies, and organizations to attend Partnership Days, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, April 15 and 16, at the center.

Posted March 13, 2026

NASA Centers & Facilities

NASA Armstrong Director Brad Flick to Retire After 40 Years of Service

On Monday, NASA announced Bradley Flick, director of NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, will retire Thursday, March 19, after a nearly 40-year career advancing aeronautics and flight research. Flick began his NASA journey in 1986 as a flight systems engineer and rose through the ranks to lead the center.

Posted March 9, 2026

NASA Headquarters

Ames Research Center

Glenn Research Center

Goddard Space Flight Center

Johnson Space Center

Marshall Space Flight Center

People of NASA

Stennis Space Center

Wallops Flight Facility

NASA, OPM Launch NASA Force to Recruit Top Talent for US Space Program

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and NASA announced NASA Force on Wednesday, a dedicated talent track within the US Tech Force initiative designed to recruit and deploy the nation’s top engineers and technologists to support America’s space program.

Posted March 4, 2026

Aeronautics

NASA Aircraft

NASA History

NASA’s Home for Experimental Flight Advances Aeronautics Mission

Nestled in the Mojave Desert, NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, pushes the boundaries of flight to advance the agency’s aeronautics mission. This is where Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier and engineers are now pioneering the future of high-speed, autonomous, and electrified aircraft.

Posted February 27, 2026

Advanced Air Vehicles Program

Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

Aeronautics Technology

Flight Demos Capabilities

Integrated Aviation Systems Program

NASA Completes First Flight of Laminar Flow Scaled Wing Design

NASA completed the first flight test of a scale-model wing designed to improve laminar flow, reducing drag and lowering fuel costs for future commercial aircraft. The flight took place Jan.

Posted February 12, 2026

Artemis 2