NASA’s X-59 Taxis to Runway for Historic First Flight

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft begins its taxi Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, from Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility to U.S. Air Force Plant 42’s runway in Palmdale, California. The aircraft taxied into position and waited for clearance before taking off for the first time.

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft begins its taxi Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, from Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility to U.S. Air Force Plant 42’s runway in Palmdale, California. The aircraft taxied into position and waited for clearance before taking off for the first time.

Photographer NASA/Carla Thomas
Location AFRC
NASAX-59First FlightTaxiAviationHistoryLow Boom Flight DemonstratorQuesstQuestCrew ChiefGround CrewSupersonicMachSonic BoomQuiet Supersonic TechnologyX-planesX-planeFlightAeronauticsTest PilotLockheed MartinSkunk WorksSpeedAFRCArmstrong Flight Research CenterLangley Research CenterAmes Research CenterGlenn Research CenterSonic ThumpCommercial Supersonic TechnologyAirplanesPalmdaleCaliforniaLBFD