NASA just fired up its futuristic X-59 supersonic jet, proving that the dream of faster-than-sound travel isn’t just alive—it’s getting a lot quieter. Unlike the ear-splitting sonic booms that grounded commercial supersonic flight decades ago, the X-59 is designed to produce a much softer “sonic thump,” something more like closing a car door than setting off a small explosion in the sky.

The aircraft itself looks every bit as fast as it’s meant to be. At 99 feet long and only 14 feet tall, it’s a sleek, needle-nosed machine built to slice through the air with minimal disruption. One of its most distinctive features is the placement of its engine—mounted on top of the fuselage rather than underneath. This clever design helps direct sound waves away from the ground, reducing the noise impact for people below.

NASA recently completed a crucial round of engine tests, ensuring that airflow remains smooth, vibrations stay in check, and all critical components stay properly cooled. While they haven’t announced a specific date for its long-awaited first flight, the next steps involve electromagnetic interference tests, taxi trials, and, eventually, full-scale airborne testing. Once it’s in the air, NASA will study how communities experience the X-59’s sonic thump, with test flights running through 2027.

Of course, NASA isn’t the only one chasing supersonic dreams. Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 recently broke the sound barrier, showing that private companies are just as eager to bring high-speed air travel back. But where others focus on speed, NASA is focused on making supersonic flight practical—and, most importantly, legal—over land.

To top it all off, NASA released some stunning footage of the X-59’s afterburner tests, complete with shock diamonds glowing in its exhaust plume. It’s a glimpse into a future where supersonic flight might not just return—it might finally work without waking up the whole neighborhood.

[Via]