{"id":320159,"date":"2025-11-21T03:18:56","date_gmt":"2025-11-20T17:18:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?guid=9f122ed5957df154376669a201429a76"},"modified":"2025-11-21T03:18:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-20T17:18:56","slug":"nasas-quesst-mission-marks-x-59s-historic-first-flight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=320159","title":{"rendered":"NASA\u2019s Quesst Mission Marks X-59\u2019s Historic First Flight"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The X-59 is shown during its historic first flight flown by NASA test pilot Nils Larson.<\/div>\n
NASA\/Lori Losey<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NASA\u2019s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft took off for its historic first flight on Oct. 28 at 11:14 a.m. EDT from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California. The one-of-a-kind aircraft flew for 67 minutes before landing and taxiing to NASA\u2019s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.<\/p>\n

NASA test pilot Nils Larson flew the X-59 up to an altitude of about 12,000 feet and an approximate top speed of 230 mph, precisely as planned. The plane\u2019s landing gear remained down during the entire flight, a common practice for experimental aircraft flying for the first time.<\/p>\n

Now that the X-59’s first flight is in the books, the team is focused on preparing for a series of test flights where the aircraft will operate at higher altitudes and supersonic speeds. This test flight phase of NASA’s Quesst mission<\/a> will ensure the X-59 meets performance and safety expectations.<\/p>\n

Through the Quesst mission, NASA aims to usher in a new age of quiet supersonic flight, achieved through the unique design and technology of the X-59 in future supersonic transport aircraft.<\/p>\n

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