Quesst:
The Science
NASA’s heritage of studying supersonic flight reaches back more than 70 years. That accumulated knowledge, especially as it relates to understanding sonic booms and how to make them quieter, is at the heart of the Quesst mission. It has taken years of research, advanced computer simulation tools, the latest wind tunnel testing, and actual flight testing to reach this point where it’s time to prove that the technology works as designed in the air with a large-scale supersonic X-plane.
Computational Fluid Dynamics
CFD, or Computational Fluid Dynamics, is a type of computer modeling researchers use to show where air molecules are pushed out of the way by a moving aircraft and generate noise.
These models can help engineers pinpoint the best places to alter an aircraft’s design in order to reduce noise. In the image to the right, the color red shows where the most sound is produced by an aircraft.
Schlieren Photography
Schlieren photography was invented by the German physicist August Toepler in 1864 to study supersonic motion.
NASA Scientists use it to “see” the pressure waves caused by a flying aircraft pushing air molecules out of the way.
Wind Tunnels
Scientists use wind tunnels to test how models of aircraft will perform in flight.
Engineers built and tested several models of the X-59 before choosing its final design.
What is a Sonic Boom?
When an airplane flies at or above the speed of sound, air molecules cannot move out of the way of the airplane fast enough, so the pressure waves combine to generate a large shockwave, which people on the ground hear as a sonic boom.
Watch to learn more about sonic boomsThe X-59 in :59
Welcome to 59 seconds on X-59! In this series, test pilot Nils Larson takes you on a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to fly the X-59.
View the video shorts
Quesst: The Science News
Stay up-to-date with the latest content related to the science from the Quesst mission.
NASA has issued new grants to five universities to help develop education plans for the community overflight phase of the…
It’s almost time for NASA’s supersonic X-59 airplane to make its red, white, and blue public debut, and you’re invited…
Nils Larson, aerospace engineer and test pilot for NASA’s X-59 aircraft, met up with his former student, Artemis II astronaut…
NASA will deliver the results to U.S. and international regulators, who will consider new rules that would lift the ban…
Before the X-59 flies, NASA researchers are getting ahead of the curve by using computational fluid dynamics to create what…
Sound never looked so good! Using a special handheld camera, researchers at NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California,…
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Quesst STEM Resources
Explore hands-on activities, interactive lesson plans, educator guides, and other downloadable content about the X-59 and supersonic flight.
Media Resources
Explore the various products available to the Media for the Quesst mission.
NASA Quesst Visuals
Find more images related to the Quesst Mission.
