NASA's X-59 breaks sound barrier, set to test sonic thump
Technology
NASA's X-59 jet has hit a major milestone: it broke the sound barrier, but the X-59 is designed to produce a much softer "sonic thump" instead of a loud boom, though that sound has not yet been heard.
Now, NASA is getting ready to fly the X-59 over US communities to see how people react to this new, quieter version of supersonic travel.
NASA data could revise noise rules
If public feedback is positive, NASA hopes its data will help update noise rules and maybe even end the ban on supersonic flights over land.
For these tests, an F-15 chase plane flew alongside the X-59 to check its performance and collect shockwave data, key steps for making quiet supersonic jets a reality.