NASA is going to assemble a quiet supersonic aircraft: X-59 QueSST

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SUMMARY

The NASA X-59 QueSST has received final approval for assembly, aiming to develop a quieter supersonic aircraft that mitigates the sonic boom issue faced by the Concorde. While the X-59 is not designed for commercial passenger transport, it may have military applications and influence future passenger-friendly designs. The discussion highlights skepticism regarding the market viability of civilian supersonic aircraft, given their higher costs and potential public backlash against perceived luxury travel in an environmentally conscious era.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of supersonic flight principles
  • Familiarity with NASA's aeronautics research initiatives
  • Knowledge of the environmental impact of aviation technologies
  • Awareness of current market trends in private and commercial aviation
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the implications of the X-59 QueSST on future aircraft design
  • Explore the environmental impact of supersonic transport technologies
  • Investigate the market dynamics for business jets, particularly supersonic models
  • Learn about the regulatory challenges facing supersonic flight over land
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Aerospace engineers, aviation industry analysts, environmental policy makers, and anyone interested in the future of air travel technology.

  • #31
anorlunda said:
That's what makes me think that the market is not for airliners, but rather for supersonic private Lear Jets (Leer Jets, love the pun. :wink:) Hence the political backlash. If only billionaires can afford these planes, there will be a lot of public opposition. Worse, if the popular notion is that NASA is doing research to benefit only billionaires, that too will cause backlash.
And since Lear jets have far fewer passengers there would need to be more of them. Ugh! All those sonic booms everywhere so some executive can go somewhere faster. IF they could make them quiet (not just quieter) and marketable (cheap) then sure but those are pretty significant “ifs.”
“If” they would develop transporter technology we wouldn’t need planes at all.