NASA will provide live coverage of the highly anticipated reveal of its X-59 aircraft on Friday, Jan. 12, at 4 p.m. EST. This event is a significant milestone in NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to enable commercial supersonic flight.
The X-59, also known as the Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) aircraft, represents a leap forward in supersonic travel. Its design focuses on reducing the noise generated by supersonic booms, which has been a major obstacle to the return of supersonic flight over land.
NASA’s live coverage will include a virtual tour of the X-59 and insights from the team of experts involved in its development. Viewers will have the opportunity to learn about the aircraft’s advanced technologies and the research conducted to ensure its safety and efficiency.
The Quesst mission, short for Quiet Supersonic Technology, is part of NASA’s broader efforts to revolutionize air travel. By addressing the challenges associated with supersonic flight, NASA aims to create a new era of aviation where faster-than-sound travel is accessible and sustainable.
Supersonic flight has been restricted to overwater routes due to the loud sonic booms produced when an aircraft exceeds the speed of sound. These booms can be disruptive to people and structures on the ground. NASA’s research focuses on reducing these booms to a level that is acceptable to communities, paving the way for supersonic flight over land.
The X-59’s unique design incorporates a long, slender shape and advanced engineering techniques to minimize the intensity of sonic booms. It is equipped with specially designed instruments and sensors to collect data on the aircraft’s acoustic signature and demonstrate its potential for quieter supersonic flight.
NASA’s live coverage of the X-59 reveal is a testament to the agency’s commitment to transparency and public engagement. By sharing this milestone event, NASA aims to inspire the next generation of aviation enthusiasts and generate excitement about the future of supersonic travel.
Make sure to tune in to NASA’s live coverage on Friday, Jan. 12, at 4 p.m. EST to witness the unveiling of the X-59 and learn more about the groundbreaking research being conducted to make commercial supersonic flight a reality.