NASA’s groundbreaking “quiet supersonic” program reached a major milestone this week. The X-59, developed by Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works division, took to the skies for the first time on Tuesday morning, gliding smoothly above the California desert.

The aircraft lifted off from Runway 42 at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Palmdale—about 100 kilometers north of Los Angeles—shortly after sunrise. It climbed steeply before heading north toward Edwards Air Force Base, where it landed safely near NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center after roughly an hour in the air.

From Sonic Booms to Sonic Thumps

Unlike traditional supersonic aircraft, the X-59 is designed to overcome one of the biggest obstacles to commercial supersonic travel: the deafening sonic boom. Its unique, elongated shape diffuses the shockwaves that form when breaking the sound barrier, transforming the explosive noise into a muted “sonic thump”—no louder than a car door closing.

NASA hopes this technology will eventually lead to the lifting of long-standing bans on supersonic flights over land. According to Lockheed Martin engineers, the innovation could pave the way for a new generation of quiet, high-speed commercial aircraft.

A Partnership in Innovation

The X-59 is the product of years of collaboration between NASA and Lockheed Martin’s advanced engineering unit, Skunk Works. Public contract data shows NASA has provided over $518 million to develop and test the aircraft since 2018.

“This morning, the X-59 successfully completed its first flight—a major milestone in aerospace innovation,” said Lockheed Martin spokesperson Candis Roussel in a statement. NASA test pilot Nils Larson operated the single-seat jet during the historic flight.

Meeting Expectations in Its Maiden Flight

The jet, measuring just over 30 meters (100 feet) in length, performed as expected during its debut. It flew at subsonic speeds of about 370 kilometers per hour (230 mph) and reached an altitude of 3,660 meters (12,000 feet). NASA confirmed all systems operated normally throughout the mission, accompanied by a chase plane.

Around 200 Lockheed Martin employees and their families watched the takeoff from a safe distance near Palmdale, cheering as the sleek aircraft disappeared into the morning sky.

Toward the Future of Supersonic Travel

The X-59’s successful test marks a crucial step toward reviving commercial supersonic flight—grounded for decades due to noise restrictions. In upcoming phases, NASA will collect acoustic data from test flights over populated areas to demonstrate that the aircraft’s “quiet boom” technology is safe and unobtrusive.

If successful, the findings could help regulators relax current bans on overland supersonic travel, potentially cutting intercontinental flight times dramatically. Experts suggest a New York–London trip could one day take just a few hours.