Going supersonic! NASA's X-59 jet breaks sound barrier for the 1st time

NASA’s X-59 jet successfully broke the sound barrier for the first time on June 5, reaching a top speed of Mach 1.1 (713 mph) and an altitude of 43,400 feet during a test flight at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Piloted by NASA test pilot Jim 'Clue' Less, the aircraft took off at 2:08 p.m. EDT and landed 81 minutes later, marking a key milestone in NASA’s Quesst program, which aims to develop quiet supersonic flight technology. The X-59, designed to produce a mild 'thump' instead of a sonic boom, could pave the way for commercial supersonic flights over land by helping regulators establish new noise standards. NASA plans to use data from upcoming flights—including a test at Mach 1.4 and 55,000 feet—to assess public perception of the aircraft’s sound. The flight follows 16 test missions since the X-59’s first flight on October 28, 2025, with the team accelerating progress toward future community overflights. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised the collaboration with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, which built the jet, calling it a step toward reviving NASA’s X-plane portfolio. Built under the Quesst mission, the X-59 aims to address the 1973 FAA ban on supersonic flights over land due to noise concerns. If successful, the technology could enable faster commercial air travel without disrupting communities below. The next phase involves gathering data from flights over U.S. cities to refine noise regulations for future supersonic aircraft.