A Review of NASA X-59's Low-Boom Design and Its Implications for Commercial Supersonic Aviation

Abstract

Traditional supersonic aircraft can reduce flight time significantly. But their sonic boom is limited when they fly over land . NASA's X-59, developed under the Quesst mission, represents a new attempt to solve this problem with a quite supersonic design. A literature-based analysis is used to review official technical reports, mission documents, and regulatory materials, which this discussion focuses on three areas; the aircraft's low-boom aerodynamic design, the engineering trade-offs and the role of public acceptance and noise regulation. However, in terms of experimental aircraft, the designs of aspects have significant project trade-offs such as cockpit visibility, fuselage sized and passenger capacity. Due to those factors, it is not able to transfer commercial aircraft directly. And another important point is whether future supersonic aircraft can achieve normal flight over land. It not only depends on availability of technical, but also the public acceptance for the systemic proving is receivable. This paper indicates that X-59 is not simply as faster aircraft, but as an experimental platform for testing whether supersonic flight can become technically practical and socially acceptable. In order to future supersonic airlines transports provide vital technology and regulatory references.