NASA X-59 jet completes cross-country flight from California to Florida
NASA's experimental X-59 quiet supersonic jet completed a major transit from Edwards Air Force Base in California to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on October 28.
Flight path and mission goals
The aircraft stopped briefly in Texas before reaching its final destination. This journey marks one year since the vehicle first took to the air. The project aims to collect noise data from communities along the route.
Aerodynamic design and speed
Lockheed Martin built the plane with a very long nose to shape shockwaves. It cruises at Mach 1.4 while emitting a soft sonic thump of about 75 decibels. The pilot views forward through a camera-based system because there is no front windshield.
Potential impact on regulations
Data gathered during these overflights could help lift the ban on supersonic flights over land that dates to 1973. The demonstration seeks to replace conventional sonic booms with a quieter sound for future commercial use.
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