NASA study opens up possibility quiet supersonic travel will take off in the future

NASA's X-59 plane.
NASA's X-59 airplane is now built, and ready for testing. Credit: NASA

Quiet supersonic travel has moved a step closer with a NASA experimental supersonic aircraft readying to take off on a milestone test flight next month.

The US space agency has been investigating supersonic travel without the boom and has developed a quiet supersonic aircraft, called X-59, as part of its Quesst mission.

The X-59 is not a passenger aircraft but a single seat experimental aircraft that will have a cruising speed of Mach 1.4 at an altitude of 55,000 ft.

It will be used to demonstrate the ability to fly supersonic with drastically reduced noise that could potentially help overcome current regulations.

Many nations including the US and Europe ban supersonic flights overland, a problem NASA is working to overcome with the X-59.

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NASA is exploring the viability of creating a jet that can reach more than 3,000mph at sea level. Credit: Lockheed Martin

NASA launched its Quesst mission in 2016 with the aim of providing data to regulators that could force change in overland flight regulations.

The research has led to the development of the X-59 jet, which is capable of cruising at 937mph, at an altitude of 55,000ft, without generating an unacceptable noise level.

If tests on the X-59 are successful, this could be the biggest revolution in air travel since the invention of the jet engine.

A standard large airliner today can take more than five hours to cross the Atlantic - cruising at speeds of about 600mph. The X-59 would take around half the time.

"We conducted similar concept studies over a decade ago at Mach 1.6-1.8, and those resulting roadmaps helped guide NASA research efforts since, including those leading to the X-59," said Lori Ozoroski, project manager for NASA's Commercial Supersonic Technology Project.

"These new studies will both refresh those looks at technology roadmaps and identify additional research needs for a broader high-speed range."

NASA engineers work on the cockpit of the X-59 jet. Credit: Lockheed Martin

Separately to the X-59 jet, as part of the "industry engagement" phase in NASA's Advanced Air Vehicles Program, two 12-month contracts have been issued to companies to develop concept designs and technology roadmaps.

The roadmaps will "explore air travel possibilities, outline risks and challenges, and identify needed technologies to make Mach 2-plus travel a reality", according to NASA.

Boeing will lead the first team, in partnership with a number of other aerospace firms, and the second will be headed up by Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems.

In a statement, NASA said: "Each team will develop roadmap elements to include airframe, power, propulsion, thermal management, and composite materials that can hold up under high-supersonic speeds.

"They will also create non-proprietary designs for concept vehicles."

NASA will make a final decision as to whether it will continue its research once the latest phase has been completed.

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