NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft successfully completed its inaugural flight on October 28, 2025. This significant achievement marks a pivotal moment for aeronautics research and boosts the agency’s Quesst mission. Designed to travel at supersonic speeds while minimizing the disruptive sound of sonic booms, the X-59 took off from Palmdale, California, at 11:14 a.m. EDT, flying for 67 minutes.
Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating, “Once again, NASA and America are leading the way for the future of flight.” Duffy highlighted that the X-59 is a major breakthrough in advancing commercial air travel that is both quieter and faster. The aircraft’s development is seen as a testament to American ingenuity.
The first flight began after a brief taxi from Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility. Test pilot Nils Larson conducted final system checks before receiving clearance from the tower. With determination, Larson advanced the throttle, initiating the climb into the skies, joining a select group of pilots who have flown an experimental aircraft for the first time.
Nils Larson remarked on the experience, saying, “All the training, all the planning that you’ve done prepares you. There is a time when you realize the weight of the moment. But then the mission takes over.” The X-59 flew at a speed of 230 mph and reached a maximum altitude of approximately 12,000 feet, allowing the team to perform vital in-flight system checks.
The X-59’s initial flight went according to plan, keeping the landing gear down throughout to ensure safety and airworthiness. After circling around, the aircraft landed at Edwards Air Force Base, marking its transition from ground testing to flight operations.
Brad Flick, center director of NASA Armstrong, stated, “In this industry, there’s nothing like a first flight. But there’s no recipe for how to fly an X-plane. You’ve got to figure it out, adapt, and make the right decisions.”
As the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission, the X-59 aims to demonstrate that supersonic flight over land can be quiet enough for public acceptance. This flight aligns with NASA’s historical legacy of developing groundbreaking experimental aircraft. The X-59 is the first major piloted X-plane developed by NASA in over 20 years, representing the continuation of a tradition that includes the X-1, X-15, and X-29, all of which have advanced the field of aeronautics.
The focus of the X-59 is on sound reduction, transforming loud sonic booms into quieter sonic thumps that are minimally audible on the ground. The aircraft’s design features an engine mounted on top of the fuselage to redirect airflow upwards, and it employs an eXternal Vision System that utilizes cameras and high-definition displays, enabling the pilot to see ahead and below without a forward-facing window.
NASA’s objective is to gather data on community responses to the X-59’s sound profile as part of developing new standards for acceptable noise levels from commercial supersonic flights over land. The aircraft will conduct flights over various U.S. communities, collecting both ground measurement data and public feedback.
Flick noted, “Most X-planes only live in restricted airspace here on center. This one is going to go out and fly around the country.” The successful first flight not only showcases NASA’s commitment to advancing aeronautics but also carries forward a legacy of innovation that remains central to its mission.
With the flight now complete, the X-59 team is preparing for extensive flight testing. The goal is to evaluate the aircraft’s handling characteristics and its ability to manage shock waves generated during supersonic flight. Ultimately, the X-59 aims to achieve a cruising speed of approximately 925 mph at 55,000 feet, solidifying its role in the future of quiet supersonic travel.
