NASA is making significant progress in developing a supersonic aircraft that could potentially allow travelers to reach their destination in a fraction of the time it currently takes. The new aircraft, known as the X-59, is being hailed as the successor to the Concorde and could make it possible to travel from New York City to London in just 90 minutes.
According to a recent report by CNN Travel, NASA has announced a “high-speed strategy” that aims to dramatically reduce the duration of flights between New York and London. The US space agency has been investigating the feasibility of supersonic passenger air travel, with the X-59 capable of reaching speeds between Mach 2 and Mach 4, equivalent to 1,535 to 3,045 miles per hour at sea level. In comparison, today’s commercial airliners typically cruise at around 600 mph, which is approximately 80% of the speed of sound.
The X-59, NASA’s quiet supersonic aircraft, has been making steady progress and recently moved to the paint barn at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works’ facility in Palmdale, California. Cathy Bahm, the low-boom flight demonstrator project manager, expressed her excitement about this milestone, stating that seeing the aircraft with a fresh coat of paint brings their vision to life. She also mentioned that the year ahead will be crucial for the X-59, and the external appearance of the aircraft will finally match the remarkable mission it is set to undertake.
The first flight of the X-59 was originally scheduled for 2023, but NASA’s QuessT (Quiet SuperSonic Technology) mission has now shifted the timeline to 2024. The X-59 is an experimental aircraft designed to achieve supersonic speeds while minimizing the typical sonic boom to a sonic thump. It serves as the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to develop technologies that will enable quieter and more environmentally friendly supersonic travel.
With NASA’s ongoing efforts and advancements in supersonic technology, the dream of traveling from New York to London in just 90 minutes may soon become a reality. Passengers could experience a significant reduction in travel time, revolutionizing air travel and opening up new possibilities for global connectivity.
