NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — NASA and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works have collaborated to create a state-of-the-art experimental aircraft, the X-59, capable of breaking the sound barrier without loud sonic booms.
Supersonic flight has long been heavily regulated due to noise and vibration caused by sonic booms. However, the X-59, also known as QueSST (Quiet SuperSonic Technology), will change that.
“The X-59 will demonstrate the ability to fly at supersonic or even faster than the speed of sound while reducing a typically loud sonic boom to a quiet sonic boom,” NASA said.
Flight testing of the X-59 is due to begin next year. But what makes this plane so special?
The answer lies in its technology and design. The X-59 was designed with the latest technology to soften the sonic boom into a quieter “sonic boom”.
Over the years, supersonic flight has become increasingly limited due to noise problems. But NASA hopes the X-59 will change that.
Flight tests will be conducted over several populated areas to collect data on how people perceive the sound it makes.
The data will be provided to U.S. and international regulators in anticipation of an adjustment to rules that currently prohibit commercial supersonic flights over land.
“QueSST is a mission that has the potential to improve commercial air travel by significantly reducing travel times. Safe and reliable flight on the X-59 is critical to NASA achieving these benefits,” the agency said.
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