NASA X-59 completes second flight, beginning dozens of test flights in 2026

NASA/X-59 QueSST

NASA's X-59 QueSST completed its second test flight on March 20, 2026, near Edwards, California. Though abbreviated due to a false instrument reading, the team collected more data. The aircraft is now entering a series of dozens of test flights throughout 2026 for envelope expansion, eventually reaching supersonic speeds and altitudes for acoustic validation over U.S. communities.