NASA’s X-59 experimental jet is preparing for its first flight, with final taxi tests underway at Lockheed Martin’s Palmdale facility, the agency said in a news release. 

NASA said engineers are now conducting medium- and high-speed taxi tests for the aircraft. “The taxi tests will focus on how the aircraft handles at higher ground speeds, including braking, steering, stability, and sensor performance. The X-59 team will also assess how well the visibility systems work since the cockpit has no forward-facing window,” NASA said. 

If successful, the X-59 will take off from Palmdale for a one-hour flight to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base, reaching speeds of approximately 240 mph (386 kph) at an altitude of around 12,000 feet (3,657 meters).

NASA said during the flight, the X-59 team will evaluate key systems, including “engine performance, stabilization, instrumentation, autopilot, control systems, and air data performance,” ensuring the aircraft is ready for future tests. Subsequent flights will reach higher speeds and altitudes to further assess performance and safety.

The date for X-59’s first flight has not been disclosed.

Shorter flight times, quieter booms: see how NASA’s X-59 experimental airplane could revolutionize supersonic flight in the documentary “X-59: NASA’s Quesst for Supersonic Flight,” streaming now for free on NASA+. https://t.co/7a6FTvxBwE pic.twitter.com/B5YJCTqsjH

— NASA (@NASA) December 30, 2024

The X-59 is the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission, which seeks to address a major barrier to supersonic flight over land in the United States by drastically reducing the intensity of sonic booms.

The aircraft measures 100 feet long with a 29.5-foot wingspan and is powered by a General Electric F414 engine. It is designed to reach speeds of up to Mach 1.5 (990 mph or 1,590 km/h) and will cruise at Mach 1.42 (940 mph or 1,510 km/h) at an altitude of around 55,000 feet (16,800 meters).