NASA will test first supersonic X-59 QueSST aircraft by the end of 2022

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration will conduct the first test of Lockheed Martin's X-59 QueSST supersonic aircraft this year.

Here's What We Know

NASA experts want to minimize the effect of a sonic boom when the aircraft exceeds the speed of sound. As part of the test, the aircraft will fly over populated areas, and scientists will collect information about people's reactions to the sound.

A successful mission is expected to open the door to new commercial markets for cargo and passenger air travel. Right now, commercial flights at supersonic speeds are banned in the United States because of the high power of the sonic boom, which can damage human hearing.

Flashback

The X-59 QueSST is an experimental aircraft developed by Lockheed Martin. The aircraft was handed over to NASA in 2021. It is expected to be able to reach a speed of Mach 1.42 (1,510 km/h) at an altitude of 17 km.

QueSST has an unusual design to reduce the sound shock wave. NASA specialists were able to reduce the sound shock to 79 dB. In the future, this value could decrease by several points, probably to 75 dB.

Source: NASA

Image: Wikipedia