NASA recently fired up the X59 supersonic jet that might someday help revive commercial supersonic jets. Developed in collaboration with Lockheed Martin, the US space agency tested the jet between October and February. Based on the single modified F414-GE-100 engine, the quiet supersonic jet generates a sonic thump instead of a sonic boom.
For those unaware, when planes cross the speed of sound (1,234km/h) or Mach 1, they generate a loud crack called sonic boom, which might often startle people on the ground and, in some cases, cause windows to shatter. While commercial supersonic flights like the Concorde have seen their fair share of attention, they were neither fuel efficient nor economical. Also, people in cities where the Concorde flew complained about noise, and as a result, the last time the plane flew was back in 2003.
NASA’s new X59 supersonic jet is trying to fix the problem by mounting the engine on top of the aircraft instead of placing it at the bottom or sides. According to the agency, the plane produces a sonic thump instead of a sonic boom, which might help reduce the amount of noise that reaches the ground.
The X59 supersonic jet will fly at a height of 55,000 feet (16,764m) and have a top speed of 1,489km/h. In a press release, NASA said that it is still testing the aircraft but did not share any details on when it will take a flight. When it is ready to fly, the X59 will undergo several tests that aim to understand how sonic thumps affect those on the ground. These demonstrations are set to take place throughout 2027.
NASA is not the only agency working on reviving commercial supersonic jets. A few weeks ago, an aerospace company named Boom Supersonic flew an experimental aircraft labeled XB-1, which crossed Mach 1 speeds three times in the same flight.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
