We were getting smooth and steady airflow as predicted from wind tunnel testing.
We didnt have any structural or excessive vibration issues.
And parts of the engine and aircraft that needed cooling were getting it.
The X-59’s Mach diamonds during maximum afterburner testing.Photo: Lockheed Martin/Gary Tice
The Concordes final flight took place in 2003.
First, the X-59 team tested out the aircrafts hydraulics and its electrical and environmental control systems.
The X-59 firstrolled outof its hangar in Palmdale, California, in January 2024.
Boom’s demonstrator aircraft on its record-breaking flight. Photo: Boom Supersonic / YouTube
One NASA engineercomparedthe X-59s sound to that of a car door being shut.
Efforts to resurrect supersonic travel are also coming from the private sector.
Specifically, tests to check for electromagnetic interference and how the aircraft handles data in normal and failure conditions.
These demonstrations will run through 2027though that timeline will likely depend on when the jet actually gets airborne.
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