New 'Concorde' hopes erupt as NASA launches supersonic jet
NASA's brand new supersonic aircraft has set off for its maiden flight today.
In a major milestone in the return of supersonic travel for passengers, NASA's experimental aircraft is making its maiden flight on Tuesday (October 28). The X-59 QueSST (Quiet SuperSonic Technology) is uniquely shaped to fly supersonically without waking a loud sonic boom - an issue that plagued the Anglo-French airliner Concorde.
The aircraft, designed and built by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, is said to be helping to prepare for the return of supersonic airliners. According to NASA's website in June 2019, while the X-59 will never carry passengers itself, "it will likely kick off a new generation of quiet supersonic commercial planes that can fly over land and dramatically reduce the time it takes to get you across the U.S. and to other countries". Tuesday's flight, which involves a lower-altitude loop at about 240mph, has reportedly been planned to check critical onboard systems, as well as verify system integration, handling qualities, avionics and instrumentation.
