The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) X-59 is approaching its maiden flight. It was previously reported that it received a 4-meter engine that creates a thrust of 10,000 kg and will allow flights without loud “sonic booms”. Now, images have surfaced online showing the X-59 between a hangar and a runway at Lockheed Martin’s Palmdale, California facility.

According to the source, the aircraft was moved from the assembly hangar on June 19. This means that the X-59 has gone through a series of ground tests to ensure the aircraft is safe and ready to fly. The X-59 is being developed as part of NASA’s Quest mission and is designed to demonstrate the aircraft’s ability to fly at speeds above the speed of sound without creating loud “sonic booms.”

“A NASA pilot will fly the X-59 over several residential areas to collect data on people’s responses to the sound produced during supersonic flight. NASA will submit this data to the US and international regulatory authorities, possibly for approval for supersonic commercial flights over land. “says the aeronautical department’s statement.

The X-59 supersonic aircraft is expected to deliver only light bursts to people on the ground, comparable in volume to cotton wool when a car door is closed. Ultimately, the authors of the project hope to change the rules of land flight, creating new opportunities for the use of supersonic aircraft in commercial cargo and passenger transport. Source