NASA's X-59 engine ignites for the first time

NASA’s X-59 Moves Toward Flight With Successful Testing of Its Supersonic Engine

The X-59, with its 22,000-pound-thrust F414-GE-100 engine, promises to reach Mach 1.4 without the characteristic boom.

By Ruth Arteaga on November 16, 2024

NASA’s X-59 engine has reached a new milestone , as the team behind the Quesst mission has begun testing of the innovative experimental supersonic aircraft . This milestone, which began on October 30, is intended to ensure that all of the X-59’s systems operate seamlessly on its own engine , leaving behind the external power sources used in previous tests.

The verification process is gradual. In the first phase, the engine ran at low speed without being started, allowing the team to inspect for possible leaks and confirm proper communication between key systems, such as hydraulic and electrical controls. After refueling, engineers tested the engine at low power to ensure it performed without anomalies.

Lockheed Martin Skunk Works facility, California — Lockheed Martin Skunk Works facility. Source: NASA

First successful tests of the X-59 engine

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“It was like a warm-up,” said Jay Brandon, NASA’s chief engineer for the X-59. The team moved forward with the first full burn, taking the engine out of its spare state and testing its impact on integrated systems.

The X-59 is no ordinary supersonic aircraft. Designed to generate a rumble rather than a thunderous boom when breaking the sound barrier , the plane is the linchpin of the Quesst mission . The goal is to gather data on human perception of these noises, helping regulators reevaluate current restrictions on supersonic flight over land.

The F414-GE-100 engine, with 22,000 pounds of thrust, will allow the X-59 to reach a speed of Mach 1.4 (925 mph) at an altitude of 55,000 feet . It is strategically placed above the fuselage to minimize noise.

They recently unveiled the X-59 experimental aircraft. Source:

These initial tests are essential to ensure the safety and success of future flights. Although the X-59 ‘s maiden flight is projected for early 2025 , testing will continue at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works facility in Palmdale, California. High-power tests and real-world flight simulations will follow.

These initial flights mark the climax of years of collaboration and dedication. This is just the beginning.
Paul Dees, deputy director of propulsion, expressed his enthusiasm

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Source and photos: NASA