NASA’s Quesst Mission Marks X-59’s Historic First Flight
On October 28, 2025, NASA marked a significant milestone in aviation history with the successful first flight of its X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft. Taking off from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California, at 11:14 a.m. EDT, the X-59 completed a 67-minute flight before landing at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Piloted by NASA test pilot Nils Larson, the aircraft reached an altitude of approximately 12,000 feet and a top speed of 230 mph, adhering to the carefully planned parameters for its inaugural flight. Notably, the landing gear remained deployed throughout the flight, a standard precaution for experimental aircraft during their initial outings.
With the first flight successfully accomplished, the X-59 team is now gearing up for a series of test flights aimed at pushing the aircraft to higher altitudes and supersonic speeds. These upcoming tests are crucial to the Quesst mission (Quiet Supersonic Technology), which seeks to revolutionize air travel by demonstrating that supersonic flight can be achieved with significantly reduced noise levels. The innovative design and technology of the X-59 are pivotal in this effort, as they aim to mitigate the disruptive sonic booms typically associated with supersonic aircraft. By proving that quieter supersonic travel is feasible, NASA hopes to pave the way for future commercial supersonic transport, potentially transforming how we think about long-distance air travel.
The implications of the X-59’s development extend beyond just technological advancements; they promise a shift in aviation regulations as well. Currently, many regions impose strict restrictions on supersonic flights over land due to noise concerns. If successful, the Quesst mission could lead to a re-evaluation of these regulations, opening new routes and opportunities for airlines. As the X-59 continues its testing phase, the aviation community and enthusiasts alike are watching closely, eager to see how this pioneering aircraft will shape the future of air travel.
NASA/Lori Losey
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft took off for its
historic first flight
on Oct. 28, 2025, at 11:14 a.m. EDT from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California. The one-of-a-kind aircraft flew for 67 minutes before landing and taxiing to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.
NASA test pilot
Nils Larson
flew the X-59 up to an altitude of about 12,000 feet and an approximate top speed of 230 mph, precisely as planned. The plane’s landing gear remained down during the entire flight, a common practice for experimental aircraft flying for the first time.
Now that the X-59’s first flight is in the books, the team is focused on preparing for a series of test flights where the aircraft will operate at higher altitudes and supersonic speeds. This test flight phase of NASA’s
Quesst mission
will ensure the X-59 meets performance and safety expectations.
Through the Quesst mission, NASA aims to usher in a new age of quiet supersonic flight, achieved through the unique design and technology of the X-59 in future supersonic transport aircraft.
Image Credit: NASA/Lori Losey
