NASAsX-59AircraftFlies Supersonic for First Time

NASAsexperimentalX-59aircraftmarkeda major milestoneFriday,June5,when itflew faster than the speed of sound for the first time,setting the stage fordemonstratingits quiet supersonic capabilitieslater this year. NASA test pilot Jim Clue Lesstook offand landedat Edwards Air Force Basein California, reaching a top speed ofapproximatelyMach1.1(713mph)and altitude of43,400 feet.TheX-59sflight began at11:08a.m.PDTand lasted 81minutes,withthe team focusing on flying qualitiesatboth subsonic and then []...