NASA's X-59 'quiet' supersonic jet passes key safety review ahead of 1st test flight

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NASA's new X-59 supersonic jet has successfully completed its Flight Readiness Review, marking a pivotal step towards its first flight.

a white jet with an elongated nose section sits on a tarmac at sunset
NASA and Lockheed Martin test pilots inspect the painted X-59 as it sits on the ramp at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California. (Image credit: NASA/Steve Freeman)

NASA's new X-59 supersonic jet has successfully completed its Flight Readiness Review, marking a pivotal step towards its first flight. 

The review, conducted by independent experts from across NASA, evaluated the project team's approach to safety for the public and staff during ground and flight testing, as well as the team's analysis of hazards that may arise. In turn, the review provides valuable insights and recommendations to the X-59 team as they prepare for further analysis ahead of the jet's maiden flight. 

"It's not a pass-fail," Cathy Bahm, NASA's Low Boom Flight Demonstrator project manager, said in a statement from the space agency. "We'll be getting actions from the board and will work with them to resolve those and work toward the Airworthiness and Flight Safety Review." 

Related: NASA unveils its revolutionary X-59 Quesst 'quiet' supersonic jet (photos, video)

The X-59, built by Lockheed Martin, is a key component of NASA's groundbreaking Quesst mission aimed at reducing the sonic booms associated with supersonic planes, which have been banned from flying over land for more than 50 years given the disruptive vibrations and noise caused by the airplanes when they exceed the speed of sound. 

NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft sits on the ramp at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California during sunrise, shortly after completion of painting. (Image credit: NASA/Steve Freeman)

The X-59 is expected to generate a quieter "thump," largely through its revolutionary and unique geometry. The elongated nose section of the aircraft measures 38 feet (11.5 meters) in length, making up a large portion of the entire aircraft which comes in at 99.7 feet long (30 m).

Flight Readiness Review is the first step in the flight approval process. Next up is the Airworthiness and Flight Safety Review, which will assess the project team's response to the most recent review. Before the airplane can officially take flight, NASA officials will need to sign an airworthiness certificate and a flight request. 

NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft sits in position inside a hangar at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California prior to its January 12, 2024 unveiling. (Image credit: NASA/Steve Freeman)
RELATED STORIES:

 —  NASA is 'learning to listen to the X-59' by simulating sonic thumps with fighter jets (photos)

 — Watch NASA's sci-fi-looking X-59 'quiet' supersonic jet roll out of the hangar (video)

— NASA's X-59 'quiet' supersonic jet heads for a new red, white and blue paint job

In the meantime, the team is preparing for further ground tests focused on systems integration engine runs and the effects of electromagnetic interference on the aircraft. 

"It's a brand-new thing that we are developing, even though they're components that have been on different legacy aircraft," Brad Neal, chairman for the X-59 Airworthiness and Flight Safety Review board, said in the statement. "As we get into integration testing here, it's going to be a great opportunity to learn."  

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Samantha Mathewson
Samantha Mathewson
Contributing Writer

Samantha Mathewson joined Space.com as an intern in the summer of 2016. She received a B.A. in Journalism and Environmental Science at the University of New Haven, in Connecticut. Previously, her work has been published in Nature World News. When not writing or reading about science, Samantha enjoys traveling to new places and taking photos! You can follow her on Twitter @Sam_Ashley13. 

6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Cisventure Astronot
    If they're reducing the volume of the sonic boom with the plane's geometry, then will this technology be applicable to jumbo jets?

    Is this going to be a rich person thing?

    And why is the National Space Administration (NaSA) wasting time with planes. /j
    PS. This plane looks so cool.
    Reply
  • billslugg
    It is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, not the National Space Administration.
    Reply
  • Cisventure Astronot
    billslugg said:
    It is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, not the National Space Administration.

    "/j" denotes a joking sentence. It's what's known as a "tone indicator". The "/j" was also a link to the Wikipedia page on tone indicators.
    Reply
  • billslugg
    Sorry, but I didn't see your "tone indicator". The light blue font does not stand out well against the white on my screen. Never noticed it.
    Reply
  • Cisventure Astronot
    billslugg said:
    Sorry, but I didn't notice your "tone indicator".

    They're more "internet slang" than standard English, so it's kinda both our faults.
    Reply
  • Meteoric Marmot
    As an engineer, I geek out on the whole no-boom development process.

    As a human hoping to maintain a livable planet, I'm disgusted that anyone would consider that supersonic passenger flight is an acceptable goal in light of the profligate fuel consumption and accompanying carbon footprint. The boom factor is irrelevant to this issue.

    If these flying disasters do manifest themselves, I hope that all rational governments will ban overflight of their territories.
    Reply