NASA’s Experimental X-59 Plane With Unique Feature to Finally Make Debut
In the latter half of the 20th century, the world briefly experienced the age of supersonic travel with the introduction of the Concorde and the Soviet Union’s Tupolev Tu-144. However, this technology was eventually retired. Now, NASA is set to unveil an experimental aircraft next week that aims to mark the return of high-speed transportation with a unique twist.
After nearly six years of construction by Lockheed Martin in California, the fully-painted X-59 Quesst is ready to see the light of day. Unlike its predecessors, the Concorde and Tu-144, the X-59 is designed to travel faster than the speed of sound while addressing a key drawback of earlier supersonic planes – noise.
The aircraft’s noise reduction is attributed to an essential physical characteristic. With a sharp, 38-foot nose on the front, the X-59 can smoothly slice through the air, significantly reducing the ear-piercing sonic booms associated with older supersonic planes. Instead, the noise level is likened to that of slamming a car door. This design feature shares similarities with Japan’s latest high-speed trains, which feature elongated noses to reduce noise when entering tunnels.
Engineers have high hopes that this technology can usher in a new era of commercial supersonic transport by overcoming one of its primary challenges. Previously, supersonic flights were limited to flying over unpopulated areas to prevent disturbing people on the ground below. However, NASA plans to fly the X-59 over residential neighborhoods to assess whether the noise produced by the aircraft is acceptable. If successful, this could pave the way for regulatory approval and the reintroduction of commercial supersonic flight.
In addition to noise reduction, the X-59 incorporates novel technology to improve its operation. While earlier supersonic planes featured a drooped nose design to maintain forward vision, the X-59 takes a different approach. Interestingly, it doesn’t even have traditional windows at the front of the aircraft. Instead, pilots will rely on cameras that transmit live video feed to the cockpit’s electronic screens, providing a forward-facing view.
Randy Bailey, a lead designer of the External Visibility System (XVS) technology, explains, Our goal is to create an electronic means of vision for the X-59 pilot that provides performance and safety levels equivalent to or better than forward-facing windows.
With the X-59’s imminent debut, aerospace enthusiasts and researchers eagerly await its performance and the potential implications it may have for the future of supersonic travel. If successful, the plane could open doors to a new era of high-speed aviation while addressing previous concerns regarding noise levels and forward visibility.
As NASA pushes the boundaries of aerospace technology, the world is poised to witness whether the X-59 will revolutionize commercial supersonic transport and shape the future of travel for generations to come.
