NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft completed its first low-speed taxi test at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, on July 10, 2025. This marked the first time the one-of-a-kind experimental aircraft has ever moved under its own power.
During the test, engineers and flight crews monitored the X-59 as it moved across the runway, working to validate critical systems like steering and braking. The taxiing represents the start of the X-59’s final series of ground tests before first flight.
The X-59 is the centerpiece of NASA’s Quesst mission, which aims to demonstrate quiet supersonic flight by reducing the loud sonic boom to a quieter “thump.”
Key data points: The growth forecast = 9.6% annually for the next 7 years. Scroll below to get more insights. This market report covers Trends, opportunity and forecast in airport ground and cargo handling service market to 2031 by type (passenger handling, baggage handling, cargo and mail handling, aircraft handling, ramp handling, and others), application (domestic and international), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World)
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