NASA Plans to Pilot F-15 Jets Through the Supersonic Shockwaves Generated by the X-59

NASA ‘s X-59 aircraft has been progressing toward its first flight since development began in 2016, with the goal of resurrecting commercial supersonic travel. Next, the agency plans to test jet-mounted shock-sensing cones to measure its “sonic thuds.”

NASA has worked on the X-59 for nearly nine years, despite a 50-year ban on civilian supersonic flights in the U.S. The agency aims to address the main concern: the loud sonic booms produced when a plane exceeds Mach 1. These disruptive booms led the FAA to ban such flights in 1974, halting commercial supersonic travel.

The X-59 aims to bypass this issue with its unique aerodynamic design, which redirects the sonic boom upwards instead of downwards, creating a softer “thump.” NASA asserts that this noise will be no louder than a car door slamming for someone on the ground.

In the next phase of testing, NASA will attach cone-shaped probes to F-15B jets to measure air disturbances from the X-59 breaking the sound barrier. One probe will capture shock waves near the aircraft, while the other will detect them 5,000 to 20,000 feet below.

Mike Frederick Explains the Role of Probes in Measuring Shock Characteristics of the X-59

Mike Frederick, NASA’s principal investigator for the probes, explained, “The probes have five pressure ports, one at the tip and four around the cone. These ports measure static pressure changes as the aircraft flies through shock waves, helping us understand the shock characteristics of a particular aircraft.” The collected data will provide insights into airflow direction, pressure, and speed.

The probes will initially be tested as one F-15 chases another at supersonic speeds. Eventually, the jets will use the cone-mounted probes to “follow the leader” as they track the X-59. This data will help verify computer simulations and refine the X-59’s design for minimal noise.

Frederick added, “A shock-sensing probe acts as the truth source, comparing the predicted data with real-world measurements.”

Early versions of the probes had transducers positioned 12 feet from the ports, causing delays and distortions in readings. The updated design brings the transducers just 5 inches from the ports, improving accuracy. Additionally, the probes include a heating system to maintain a consistent temperature for the transducers during test flights.

While the X-59’s first flight remains unscheduled, the aircraft was revealed in a ceremony earlier this year. NASA also began engine testing last month, signaling that flight testing is imminent.

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