X-59 First Flight Media Resources

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NASA’s X-59 Completes First Flight, Prepares for More Flight Testing

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NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft lifts off from the runway at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. Its wheels are just slightly off the runway. Heat waves are visible off the back of the aircraft as it ascends under a clear sky. Rows of Joshua trees stretch toward the mountains in the background.
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft lifts off for its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, from U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft’s first flight marks the start of flight testing for NASA’s Quesst mission, the result of years of design, integration, and ground testing and begins a new chapter in NASA’s aeronautics research legacy.
NASA/Carla Thomas
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft lifts off from the runway at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The nose is angled slightly upward, and the landing gear is down as it ascends under a blue sky. The tops of buildings are visible below, with mountains in the far background.
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft lifts off for its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, from U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California. The aircraft’s first flight marks the start of flight testing for NASA’s Quesst mission, the result of years of design, integration, and ground testing and begins a new chapter in NASA’s aeronautics research legacy.
NASA/Carla Thomas
NASA’s X-59 flies above the Mojave Desert against a blue sky. The aircraft’s long nose is angled slightly upward to the left, with its landing gear down. Layers of mountains are visible in the background. The aircraft is backlit, appearing to float as it ferries to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above Palmdale and Edwards, California, on its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The aircraft will travel to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, where it will begin flight testing for NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight over land.
NASA/Jim Ross
NASA’s X-59 flies above the Mojave Desert with a NASA F-15 off its left wing. The X-59’s landing gear is down and below it the desert landscape stretches toward rows of windmills in front of mountains.
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above Palmdale and Edwards, California, on its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, accompanied by a NASA F-15 research aircraft. The F-15 monitored the X-59 during the flight as it traveled to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, where it will begin flight testing for NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight over land.
NASA/Jim Ross
NASA’s X-59 is seen in flight, with a blue sky and mountains behind it and land below it. The aircraft’s long nose and distinct silhouette are visible as it ferries to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California 
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft cruises above Palmdale and Edwards, California, during its first flight, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The aircraft will traveled to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
NASA/Lori Losey
The X-59 pulls onto the ramp at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center. In front of the aircraft, the crew chief stands with arms raised to guide it in, while another flight crew member stands beside the aircraft. An audience is visible in the background near a large hangar.
The X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft arrives at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, following its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The arrival marks the aircraft’s transition from ground testing to flight operations. Next, the aircraft will undergo scheduled maintenance followed by a series of additional test flights, gradually building toward its first supersonic flight.
NASA/Genaro Vavuris
Nils Larson steps down a ladder beside the X-59’s cockpit. He is wearing a tan flight suit with the aircraft parked on the ramp and its canopy open behind him.
NASA test pilot Nils Larson steps out of the X-59 after successfully completing the aircraft’s first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. The mission marked a key milestone in advancing NASA’s Quesst mission to enable quiet supersonic flight over land.
NASA/Genaro Vavuris

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Last Updated

Nov 20, 2025

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Maria Werries
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Nov 20, 2025

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