Watch NASA test its new X-59 jet designed to go faster than the speed of sound

This next-generation plane is made to go faster than sound without producing a full sonic boom By Jackie Flynn Mogensen edited by Claire Cameron Join Our Community of Science Lovers! NASA wants to make supersonic travel quieter. On Thursday the agency released new footage of its X-59 jet, a still-in-development plane that is designed to break the sound barrier over land—but with a sonic “thud” rather than a boom. Faster air travel speeds mean shorter flights. But when an aircraft travels more rapidly than the speed of sound, it creates shock waves, generating a sonic boom. Those sonic booms can be a nuisance for people living nearby and can even cause damage to homes and startle animals. The X-59 jet is NASA’s answer to that problem. Featuring a needlelike tip, it’s designed to travel at more than 1,000 miles per hour—about twice as fast as a commercial jet—while limiting the noise of the boom. NASA expects its sonic “thump” to be as loud as “distant thunder” or the thud of a car door closing down the block. On supporting science journalism If you’re enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping
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