NASA's X-59 supersonic jet nears first flight, engineered to fly faster than the speed of sound

NASA’s cutting-edge X-59 supersonic jet has successfully completed its initial low-speed taxi tests, signaling a major milestone in the journey toward a new era of high-speed air travel. The sleek, experimental aircraft—developed under NASA’s Quesst mission—was seen maneuvering under its own power on July 10 at the U.S. Air Force’s Plant 42 in Palmdale, California.

Also read: NASA explores commercial supersonic air travel

With a length of 100 feet and a wingspan of 30 feet, the X-59 is engineered to fly faster than the speed of sound while minimizing the disruptive sonic boom to a muted “thump.” This innovation could pave the way for future commercial flights over land at supersonic speeds—something currently restricted due to noise regulations.

The successful taxi tests are the final step before the aircraft's inaugural flight, expected later this year. Engineers closely monitored the jet’s handling, evaluating systems such as steering and braking to ensure operational readiness across varying conditions. These ground tests will be followed by progressively faster runs, culminating in a high-speed trial just below takeoff velocity.

Once airborne, the X-59 will collect data critical to shaping future noise standards for supersonic travel. If successful, this initiative could drastically reduce flight durations between major cities—for instance, shrinking New York–London travel time by nearly half—while maintaining comfort and compliance with noise limitations.