Sonic Booms and the X-59 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

NASA is designing the X-59 aircraft to fly supersonically without producing a loud sonic boom, using a long and slender shape and flying at higher altitudes.

Key Insights

• 💦 NASA is working on reducing unwanted noises, including noise pollution from aircraft, through the Low-Boom Flight Demonstration program.
• 🔊 The X-59 QueSST aircraft is being designed to fly supersonically without creating a loud sonic boom by shaping its volume and lift distribution.
• 🫢 Higher altitudes help in reducing the noise from sonic booms as the shock waves dissipate over a larger distance.
• 💥 Pioneering efforts are being made to develop tools that can predict and trace the production of sonic booms on an aircraft.
• 🫢 Designing an aircraft with a long and slender shape helps in minimizing the coalescence of shocks and reducing the intensity of sonic booms.
• 💥 The X-59 is expected to have implications for commercial supersonic flight that has been hindered by the intensity of sonic booms.
• 🤗 The X-59's ability to generate a quiet sonic boom opens up possibilities for supersonic flight to become commercially viable in the future.

Transcript

[jet engines rumbling] - We are surrounded by sound every day. [indistinct PA chatter] [video game noises] [indistinct chatter] From household sounds like dogs barking and people talking to noise pollution from highways, industry, and planes, our days have gotten very noisy. NASA is working to reduce some of these unwanted noises. As a leader in ae... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft?

The X-59 is a NASA-designed aircraft that can fly supersonically without producing a loud sonic boom, thanks to its long and slender shape, which shapes the volume and lift distribution in a way that minimizes the noise.

Q: How does a sonic boom occur?

A sonic boom occurs when an aircraft travels faster than the speed of sound, creating shock waves that compress and create a sudden change in pressure. This change in pressure is heard as a loud crack, similar to thunder.

Q: How does flying the X-59 at a higher altitude reduce noise from sonic booms?

Flying at a higher altitude reduces the noise from sonic booms because being farther away from the ground allows the shock waves to dissipate and reduces their impact on the ground, resulting in a quieter experience for people on the ground.

Q: What were the challenges in designing a quiet sonic boom?

One of the challenges was the capability to accurately analyze how the aircraft would behave in terms of producing a sonic boom. However, NASA has recently developed tools to predict how the sonic boom will be produced on the aircraft and to design it accordingly.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA aims to reduce unwanted noises by designing the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology aircraft (X-59 QueSST) that can fly at supersonic speeds without creating a loud sonic boom.

• Sonic booms occur when an aircraft flies faster than the speed of sound, causing air pressure waves to compress and create a sudden change in pressure, resulting in a loud crack.

• The X-59 is designed to shape the volume and lift distribution over the aircraft in a way that prevents the sonic boom from being overly loud, allowing for quieter supersonic flight.