NASA, in collaboration with aerospace giant Lockheed Martin, officially unveiled the revolutionary “X-59 QueSST” aircraft, which is anticipated to mark a significant milestone in the realm of supersonic flight.
As NASA’s latest experimental aircraft, the X-59 is designed to break the sound barrier without producing any thunderous sonic booms; instead, the aircraft emits a quieter hum akin to the sound of a car door closing when heard from the inside.
Pam Melroy, Deputy Administrator of NASA, highlighted the aircraft’s unconventional design approach, which involves the elimination of the front window to reduce the intensity of the sonic boom penetration. In place of a traditional window, the aircraft features an external vision system equipped with a camera and a screen mounted in the cockpit, providing pilots with an augmented reality view of the surrounding areas. This setup, according to the designers, is expected to offer sufficient visibility around the aircraft.
The X-59 aircraft is the culmination of several decades of research and development, utilizing advanced manufacturing techniques, including augmented reality systems and 3D modeling technologies. The X-59 represents an extension of NASA’s legacy of pioneering innovation in aviation; the aircraft belongs to a lineage that dates back to 1947 when the era of faster-than-sound flight began in the deserts of California, USA.
Following the completion of the initial phase of necessary testing, NASA plans to conduct several test flights over selected residential areas in the United States to collect data on citizens’ perceptions and experiences with the aircraft’s sound during its flight.
NASA aims to use this data to obtain regulatory approvals for commercial supersonic flights, with the goal of making aviation more sustainable and enabling faster travel over populated areas.
There are several benefits to supersonic flight, such as rapid medical response, time-saving in cargo shipping, and quick travel for urgent and time-sensitive conditions.
While NASA and Lockheed Martin lead this initiative, other companies like “Boom Supersonic” are also working on similar commercial supersonic aircraft, indicating significant growth in this sector.
