NASA’s X-59 Continues Envelope Expansion After First Supersonic Flight

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies along the Bell X-1 Supersonic Corridor in California during continued flight testing on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in support of NASA’s Quesst mission. Initial supersonic flights help the team evaluate the aircraft’s performance as it progresses toward the speed and altitude planned for future community overflights.

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies along the Bell X-1 Supersonic Corridor in California during continued flight testing on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, in support of NASA’s Quesst mission. Initial supersonic flights help the team evaluate the aircraft’s performance as it progresses toward the speed and altitude planned for future community overflights.

Photographer NASA/Jim Ross
Location AFRC
NASAX-59AviationLow Boom Flight DemonstratorLBFDQuesstQuestTest PilotSupersonicMachSonic BoomQuiet Supersonic TechnologyX-planeAeronauticsLockheed MartinSkunk WorksSpeedAFRCArmstrong Flight Research CenterLangley Research CenterAmes Research CenterGlenn Research CenterSonic ThumpCommercial Supersonic TechnologyAirplanesCaliforniaEdwards Air Force BaseEAFBFlight Test