NASA X-59 Continues Cross-Country Journey to Florida

NASA’s experimental X-59 began its first cross-country trip from California to Kennedy Space Center on the first anniversary of its maiden flight, stopping in Texas and later Birmingham, Alabama, on the way to Florida. The aircraft is expected to appear at NASA’s MAX POWER air show at Kennedy Space Center on Nov. 7–8. During its first year of testing, it completed 40 additional flights, reaching Mach 1.53 and altitudes above 56,000 feet. NASA is preparing to measure the aircraft’s sound signature and assess whether its design can reduce the disruptive sonic boom, research that could help inform future rules for supersonic passenger flights over land.