<![CDATA[ NASA's "quiet" supersonic X-59 jet took to the skies for the second time ever on Friday (March 20), but it didn't stay up for long. ]]>
Supersonic flight refers to the flight of an object through the air at speeds greater than the speed of sound, which is approximately 343 meters per second (1,125 feet per second) at sea level. This type of flight creates shock waves, resulting in a sonic boom, and poses unique engineering challenges and considerations for aircraft design.
Quiet supersonic technology aims to reduce the noise produced by supersonic aircraft, particularly the sonic boom, to allow for commercial supersonic flight over land. This involves innovative design strategies and materials that minimize noise while maintaining performance and speed.