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NASA Tests X-59 to Tame Supersonic Sonic Booms

By Drooid · Sep 25, 2026, 2:10 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

NASA is testing the X-59 aircraft to flatten supersonic booms into tolerable bumps.
The X-59’s elongated, anteater-shaped nose is intended to flatten shockwaves for overland supersonic travel.
Peter Coen, a 43-year NASA veteran, leads the program and emphasizes low-cost, single-goal design.
The X-plane series began with the 1947 Bell X-1 and the X-15 later reached Mach 6.7 (4,520 mph).

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Story summary

NASA is testing the X-59 aircraft to flatten supersonic booms into tolerable bumps.
The X-59’s elongated, anteater-shaped nose is intended to flatten shockwaves for overland supersonic travel.
Peter Coen, a 43-year NASA veteran, leads the program and emphasizes low-cost, single-goal design.
The X-plane series began with the 1947 Bell X-1 and the X-15 later reached Mach 6.7 (4,520 mph).