Quesst Mission Image Gallery
This collection of images showcases the history, research, and operations associated with NASA's Quesst mission to enable the possibility of commercial supersonic flight over land.
NASA test pilot Nils Larson steps out of the X-59 after successfully completing the aircraft’s first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28,...
The X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft arrives at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, following its first flight...
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft cruises above Palmdale and Edwards, California, during its first flight, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025....
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft lifts off for its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, from U.S. Air Force...
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above Palmdale and Edwards, California, on its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025,...
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above Palmdale and Edwards, California, on its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025....
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft lifts off for its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, from U.S. Air Force...
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft lifts off for its first flight Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, from U.S. Air Force...
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft taxis across the runway during a low-speed taxi test at U.S. Air Force Plant...
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft moves under its own power for the first time at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works...
Here you see the X-59 scaled model inside the JAXA supersonic wind tunnel during critical tests related to sound predictions.
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft sits inside its run stall in preparation for maximum afterburner testing at Lockheed Martin’s...
NASA’s X-59 competes with sunset for best light show with its unique Mach diamonds, also known as shock diamonds, during...
NASA’s X-59 fires up its jet engine against a darkening sky, showcasing its unique Mach diamonds, also known as shock...
NASA’s X-59 complements the glow of the sky at dusk with its unique Mach diamonds, also known as shock diamonds,...
NASA’s X-59 lights up the night sky with its unique Mach diamonds, also known as shock diamonds, during maximum afterburner...
A closer view of the powerful afterburner exhaust coming from the tail of NASA’s X-59 supersonic technology demonstrator, it’s characteristic...
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft sits inside its run stall following maximum afterburner testing at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works...
Bathed in dramatic lighting, NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft is seen fully assembled and painted at Lockheed Martin's Skunk...
A close-up front view showcases the long, slightly flattened nose of the X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft, seen here bathed...
NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft is dramatically lit for a "glamour shot," captured before its Jan. 12, 2024, rollout...
NASA and Lockheed Martin publicly unveil the X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft at a ceremony in Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works...
NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft is dramatically lit for a "glamour shot," captured before its Jan. 12, 2024, rollout...
With the sun about to rise over the California high desert, NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft is seen fully...
NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft is seen fully assembled and painted on the ramp at Lockheed Martin's Skunk Works...
NASA test pilots Nils Larson (left) and Jim “Clue” Less (right), and Lockheed Martin test pilot Dan “Dog” Canin pose...
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft sits on the ramp at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California during sunrise,...
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft sits on the ramp at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California during sunrise,...
NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft sits on the ramp at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California during sunrise,...
A view looking into the hangar where NASA's X-59 is parked.
NASA’s X-59 sits in support framing while undergoing the installation of its lower empennage, or tail section, at Lockheed Martin...
NASA’s X-59 has undergone final installation of its lower empennage, better known as the tail assembly. NASA’s X-59 has undergone...
Ernest Williams has played a key role in the X-59 Quesst mission as an electrical engineer at NASA’s Glenn Research...
The supersonic X-1E research aircraft was the last of NASA's experimental X-1 series of aircraft. From 1955-1958, it made 26...
Before NASA’s quiet supersonic X-59 aircraft takes to the skies, plenty of testing happens to ensure a safe first flight....
A model of the X-59 aircraft, the centerpiece of NASA’s mission to gather information intended to help enable a new...
Don Durston never grew out of building model planes – they’re just a whole lot more sophisticated these days! The...
This colorized schlieren image is of a small-scale model of NASA’s X-59 Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST) airplane taken inside NASA...
