How the X-59 Silences the Sonic Boom
One of the biggest challenges for supersonic flight has been the sonic boom—a loud, sharp explosion caused when an aircraft travels faster than sound. In the past, supersonic commercial travel, like the Concorde, was limited to oceans and remote areas because booms could rattle windows, disturb wildlife, and startle communities.
The X-59 tackles this problem with innovative engineering. Its elongated, needle-like nose, smooth fuselage, and top-mounted engine are designed to spread shockwaves over a longer distance, softening the sound that reaches the ground. Instead of a disruptive boom, observers should hear a muted “sonic thump,” similar to distant thunder or a car door closing.
NASA aims to provide regulators with acoustic data and public feedback to determine whether this approach could make routine supersonic flight over land acceptable. Early studies suggest communities might tolerate this level of noise, potentially opening the door for future supersonic passenger and cargo flights.
