NASA's X-59 Just Broke the Sound Barrier! #sonicboom

Aviation history was made on June 5 as NASA's experimental X-59 aircraft flew faster than the speed of sound for the very first time. Piloted by NASA test pilot Jim "Clue" Less, the groundbreaking aircraft reached approximately Mach 1.1 (713 mph) and climbed to an altitude of 43,400 feet during an 81-minute flight from Edwards Air Force Base. The X-59 is designed to solve one of aviation's biggest challenges: the disruptive sonic boom. Instead of producing a thunderous shockwave, NASA hopes the aircraft will create a much quieter "sonic thump," potentially opening the door to a new era of commercial supersonic travel. This successful supersonic flight is a major milestone as NASA prepares for community overflight tests later this year. ✈️🚀 Subscribe to @BeyondEarthBuckleUp for more space and aviation breakthroughs from NASA and beyond. Image Credit: NASA #NASA #X59 #Quesst #Supersonic #Aviation #Mach1 #Aircraft #Science #Shorts