Supersonic Flight & Sonic Boom Research
Supersonic Flight & Sonic Boom Research
Articles on supersonic aircraft design, sonic boom mitigation, NASA's X-59 QueSST program, and the scientific and regulatory challenges of returning commercial supersonic flight.
supersonic flight sonic boom researchJul 5, 20265 min
The Thump That Could Change Air Travel: Inside NASA’s Quiet Supersonic Jet
NASA’s X-59 isn’t just about speed—it’s about silence. After decades of silence over land, this experimental jet could make supersonic flight normal again—if the world finds its thump acceptable.
supersonic flight sonic boom researchJun 30, 20265 min
NASA’s X-59 Quiet Supersonic Jet Completes First Supersonic Flight, Paving Way for Overland Thumps
More than two decades after the Concorde’s retirement, NASA’s experimental X-59 aircraft achieved its first supersonic flight in June 2026, marking a milestone toward enabling overland supersonic travel without loud sonic booms.