On June 5, 2026, NASA's experimental X-59 aircraft flew faster than the speed of sound for the first time, setting the stage for demonstrating its quiet supersonic capabilities later this year.
NASA test pilot Jim "Clue" Less took off and landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California, reaching a top speed of about Mach 1.1 (about 713 mph, or about 1,147 kph). The flight lasted 81 minutes, with the team focusing on flying qualities at both subsonic and supersonic speeds.
The X-59 is the centerpiece of NASA's Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight and help enable commercial supersonic flight over land worldwide. These advancements will help travelers reach their destinations faster, spending less time in the air.
Who's behind this story?
Gaby Clark
