NASA's X-59 supersonic plane takes its 1st flight

Technology Nov 10, 2025

NASA and Lockheed Martin have flown the X-59 for the first time, marking a big step toward quieter supersonic jets.
Unlike the old ear-splitting sonic booms, this plane is designed to make just a soft "thump" when it eventually breaks the sound barrier.
The test flight launched from Palmdale and landed at Edwards, hitting 12,000 feet.

The goal is to make air travel faster and quieter

With its long "swordfish" nose to control shockwaves, the X-59 aims to prove we can fly fast without all that noise.
Next up: pushing speeds even higher (up to Mach 1.4) and testing if these quieter flights could finally allow supersonic travel over land.
If it works out, trips like London to New York could take half the time—pretty game-changing for future air travel!