NASA’s quiet supersonic jet forced to cut flight short
NASA’s quiet supersonic jet forced to cut flight short
NASA's X-59, the groundbreaking experimental aircraft nicknamed "Quesst," recently reached a new milestone.
On March 20, 2026, it completed its second test flight after taking off from Edwards Air Force Base.
While the flight was planned to last an hour, a cockpit warning forced pilot Jim "Clue" Less to cut the mission short at just nine minutes.
The X-59 is designed to change aviation history by replacing the loud, disruptive "sonic boom" of traditional supersonic jets with a subtle "thump."
Its unique, elongated design disperses shockwaves, potentially allowing supersonic travel over land for the first time.
Because of its long nose, the plane lacks a traditional windscreen, relying instead on an "eXternal Vision System" of cameras.
Developed with Lockheed Martin, the X-59 is part of an "envelope expansion" program where technicians incrementally test performance.
While currently back in the hangar for inspection, the mission remains a cornerstone of NASA's goal to make long-distance travel, such as New York to Los Angeles, take under three hours.
