A Little About NASA's X-59 QueSST Aircraft

This is an experimental aircraft capable of flying faster than the speed of sound, but it does so much more quietly. This is important because thanks to such technologies, supersonic passenger flights could become a reality again.

Once, the "Concorde" allowed passengers to fly from New York to London in less than three and a half hours. However, its operation was discontinued, partly due to the powerful sonic boom generated when flying at supersonic speeds. Because of this, supersonic flights over land have been banned in many countries.

The X-59 has an unusual design: a long pointed nose, wide triangular wings, and a T-shaped tailfin. This aerodynamics allows the aircraft to distribute shock waves so that they are much weaker.

In addition, the special shape of the lower fuselage directs most of the shock wave upwards. As a result, instead of a loud bang, only a muffled sound is heard on the ground, comparable to distant thunder.

During a recent test flight, engineers checked the aircraft's maneuverability and how it handles loads at high speeds. If the tests are successful, the X-59 technology could pave the way for the return of quiet supersonic passenger flights.