NASA’s X-59 Reaches Mission Performance of Mach 1.4 | Aviation International News

NASA’s X-59 Reaches Mission Performance of Mach 1.4

NASA is expanding the envelope as it readies aircraft for supersonic flight over communities

NASA X-59 — © NASA/Lori Losey

By Kerry Lynch • Editor, AIN monthly magazine

June 15, 2026

NASA’s X-59 reached its mission performance of flying at 55,000 feet and at Mach 1.4 on Friday as the aircraft took a step toward its planned low-boom supersonic demonstration flights over communities. The envelope expansion came a week after the aircraft broke the sound barrier, flying at Mach 1.1 and reaching an altitude of 43,400 feet on June 5.

As part of the NASA Quesst mission, the X-plane will fly at 55,000 feet/Mach 1.4 over various communities in the U.S. to test public perception of noise surrounding newer supersonic technologies that produce a “quiet thump” versus loud sonic booms from legacy aircraft. Data from these test flights will be used to determine whether it would be feasible to lift the ban on civil supersonic flight over land.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Become a Member

Already a member? Sign In

Baggage Floor Removal Vexing for Lear Jet Restoration

The group looks to return Lear 23-003 to flight

the baggage floor in Lear 23-003

Joby eVTOL Begins Week of Flights across North Texas

Project Nexus makes first flights under the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program

Joby’s eVTOL air taxi prototype sits on the ramp at Perot Field

Bombardier Global 8000 Earns UK London City Approval

Approval eases access to central London

Bombardier Global 8000

Netherlands Opts for Its Inaugural AEW&C Aircraft

Bilateral capability with Sweden marks nation’s first AEW&C acquisition

GlobalEye

FAA Grants Special Airworthiness Certificate for eFlyer

Bye Aerospace’s prototype is ready for flight testing

Rod Zastrow, Bye Aerospace CEO

Trump’s Call for Bombardier Ban Draws Opposition

IAM expressed strong opposition to a ban on the sale of Bombardier products

Elevate Jet Challenger business jet

Aero Show To Host Inaugural ‘Air Charter Regional’

International ACE event to feature as part of expanding aviation trade show

Aero Friedrichshafen show

Asking Prices Disappear from ULR Bizjets, Says Jet Match

Inventory fell by nearly a third year over year as resale transactions hit Q2 record