NASA test pilot Mike Lippert flew the agency’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft on October 21, 2026. Lippert took off from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, for a one-hour test flight.
Flight Details
NASA test pilot Mike Lippert flew the X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft for the first time on October 21, 2026. Lippert took off from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, and landed one hour later.
According to NASA, the flight followed scheduled maintenance and a review of the X-59’s systems after the aircraft completed its busiest week of testing to date.
Testing Background
NASA stated that the X-59 has flown numerous times since its inaugural flight in November 2025. The research aircraft achieved its first supersonic flight on June 5, 2026.
Key facts and where they come from
- Test pilot Mike Lippert flew the X-59 for the first time on October 21, 2026.
first time flying the agency’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft on Oct. 21, 2026.
- The flight lasted one hour after taking off from Edwards, California.
Lippert took off from NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, and landed one hour later.
- The X-59 completed its first supersonic flight on June 5, 2026.
its first supersonic flight was on June 5, 2026.
