The X-59 Commercial Supersonic Transport model is installed upside down in the test section of the GRC 8x6 Supersonic wind tunnel. The blade hanging from the top of the tunnel will be measuring the shock waves coming from the bottom of the model during testing. The shock waves coming from the bottom of the model represent the sonic boom reaching the ground during flight. The shape of the model is designed so as to greatly reduce the shock waves to prevent the typical boom coming from a supersonic aircraft. Commercial Supersonic Transport, CST Project, X-59 Sonic Boom Test Model, in the 8x6-foot Supersonic Wind Tunnel, SWT
Photographer NASA/GRC/Quentin Schwinn
Album 2021_NASA_Pictures_of_the_Year_Submissions
Date September 17, 2021