NASA’s X-59 at Sunrise

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft during engine run testing on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Engineers and technicians monitored the aircraft’s systems as the engine powered up, gathering data to verify performance and prepare the X-59 for its next series of experimental flights. The X-59 will support NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate technology that can reduce the loud sonic booms of supersonic flight.

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft during engine run testing on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Engineers and technicians monitored the aircraft’s systems as the engine powered up, gathering data to verify performance and prepare the X-59 for its next series of experimental flights. The X-59 will support NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate technology that can reduce the loud sonic booms of supersonic flight.

Photographer NASA/Jim Ross
Location AFRC
NASAX-59Low Boom Flight DemonstratorQuesstSupersonicMachSonic BoomQuiet Supersonic TechnologyX-planesAeronauticsLockheed MartinSpeedAFRCArmstrong Flight Research CenterLangley Research CenterAmes Research CenterGlenn Research CenterSonic ThumpCommercial Supersonic TechnologyTechnologyAirplanesEngineGeneral Electric AviationF414SunriseCalifornia