Tag: Quesst

NASA’s X-59 ‘quiet’ supersonic jet passes key safety review ahead of 1st test flight

NeRD

NASA’s new X-59 supersonic jet has successfully completed its Flight Readiness Review, marking a pivotal step towards its first flight.  The review, conducted by independent experts from across NASA, evaluated the project team’s approach to safety for the public and staff during ground and flight testing, as well as the team’s analysis of hazards that may arise. In turn, the review provides valuable insights and recommendations to the X-59 team as they prepare for further analysis ahead of the jet’s maiden flight.  “It’s not a pass-fail,” Cathy Bahm, NASA’s Low…

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NASA is ‘learning to listen to the X-59’ by simulating sonic thumps with fighter jets (photos)

NeRD

Before NASA’s new X-59 supersonic jet can break the sound barrier, scientists had to record equivalent sonic booms to use for reference. Test pilots with NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center took to the skies high above the Southern California desert near the U.S. Air Force’s Edwards Air Force Base in order to generate “thumps” the X-59 “Quesst” supersonic jet is expected to produce. Unlike a typical thunderous sonic boom, the sound of the X-59 breaking the sound barrier is projected to be similar to a car door slamming as heard…

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NASA unveils the revolutionary X-59 Quesst ‘quiet’ supersonic jet 9 (photos, video)

NeRD

The X-59 is finally here. As NASA’s newest X-plane, the X-59 is designed to break the sound barrier without the thunderous sonic booms that typically occur when aircraft go supersonic. Instead, the Quesst will make a much quieter “thump,” similar to the sound of a car door slamming as heard from indoors. If successful, the jet has the potential to revolutionize supersonic flight and aviation in general. After years of development, NASA and Lockheed Martin showed off the finished X-59 Quesst (“Quiet SuperSonic Technology”) today (Jan. 12) in front of…

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NASA to unveil new X-59 ‘quiet’ supersonic jet on Jan. 12

NeRD

NASA and Lockheed Martin are finally ready to unveil the new X-59 Quesst, a supersonic jet designed to break the sound barrier without creating a thunderous sonic boom. The X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (Quesst) jet has been under construction at Lockheed Martin’s “Skunk Works” facility in Palmdale, California since 2019. The experimental X-59 Quesst is designed to fly at supersonic speeds and reduce the typical sound of sonic booms, lowering the volume down to a “thump” similar to the sound of a car door slamming. NASA says the aircraft could…

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