NASA’s X-59 Moves Under Its Own Power

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft moves under its own power for the first time at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, on July 10, 2025. Guided by the aircraft’s crew chief, the event marks the beginning of taxi tests – a key milestone and the final series of ground tests before first flight.

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft moves under its own power for the first time at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California, on July 10, 2025. Guided by the aircraft’s crew chief, the event marks the beginning of taxi tests – a key milestone and the final series of ground tests before first flight.

Photographer NASA/Carla Thomas
Location AFRC
NASAX-59Low Boom Flight DemonstratorQuesstTaxi TestLow Speed TaxiCrew ChiefGround CrewSupersonicMachSonic BoomQuiet Supersonic TechnologyX-planesFlightAeronauticsRun StallLockheed MartinSpeedAFRCArmstrong Flight Research CenterLangley Research CenterAmes Research CenterGlenn Research CenterSonic ThumpCommercial Supersonic TechnologyAirplanesPalmdaleCaliforniaLBFD