NASA's X-59 'Quesst' Aims to Muffle the Sonic Boom and Reopen Skies to Supersonic Travel

NASA's X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (Quesst) demonstrator, built by Lockheed Martin, is engineered to transform the disruptive sonic boom into a much quieter 'sonic thump'. The aircraft's unique long, slender design with a sharp nose is key to separating the shockwaves that cause the loud noise associated with supersonic flight. Following its initial test flights, the X-59 will fly over several U.S. communities to gather crucial data on public perception of the reduced sound level. This research is pivotal, as NASA intends to provide the findings to regulators like the FAA and the International Civil Aviation Organization. The ultimate goal is to overturn the decades-old ban on supersonic flight over land, potentially heralding a new era for commercial high-speed air travel.

Official Source: https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/aircraft-propulsion/inside-nasas-x-59-low-boom-demonstrator

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