NASA’s X-59 towbar sits in front of a hangar at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Because of the aircraft’s long nose, a long towbar is required, and it is positioned on the tarmac awaiting the X-59’s arrival ahead its first flight.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.

NASA Aeronautics and center leadership gather inside the viewing area of the main control room at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The group watches in real time as flight controllers and engineers receive updates from the aircraft during its historic first flight in support of the agency’s Quesst mission.