NASA’s Quesst Mission Marks X-59’s Historic First Flight

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft successfully completed its historic first flight on October 28, 2025, from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California.
The one-of-a-kind aircraft flew for 67 minutes at an altitude of about 12,000 feet and a top speed of approximately 230 mph, as planned by NASA test pilot Nils Larson.
The X-59’s landing gear remained down during the entire flight, a common practice for experimental aircraft flying for the first time.
The Quesst mission aims to usher in a new age of quiet supersonic flight through the unique design and technology of the X-59 in future supersonic transport aircraft.
Future test flights will focus on operating at higher altitudes and supersonic speeds to ensure the X-59 meets performance and safety expectations, as part of NASA’s Quesst mission.

The X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft flies above California. The plane has a distinctive shape with a long, sharply pointed nose. The nose is silver, while the rest of the body looks white. The words "NASA" and "X-59" are on the body of the aircraft. In the background, we can see brown earth below the plane as well as hazy mountains in the distance.

NASA/Lori Losey

NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft took off for its historic first flight on Oct. 28, 2025, at 11:14 a.m. EDT from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California. The one-of-a-kind aircraft flew for 67 minutes before landing and taxiing to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

NASA test pilot Nils Larson flew the X-59 up to an altitude of about 12,000 feet and an approximate top speed of 230 mph, precisely as planned. The plane’s landing gear remained down during the entire flight, a common practice for experimental aircraft flying for the first time.

Now that the X-59’s first flight is in the books, the team is focused on preparing for a series of test flights where the aircraft will operate at higher altitudes and supersonic speeds. This test flight phase of NASA’s Quesst mission will ensure the X-59 meets performance and safety expectations.

Through the Quesst mission, NASA aims to usher in a new age of quiet supersonic flight, achieved through the unique design and technology of the X-59 in future supersonic transport aircraft.

Image Credit: NASA/Lori Losey

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Q. When did NASA’s X-59 aircraft make its historic first flight?

A. The X-59 took off for its historic first flight on October 28, 2025, at 11:14 a.m. EDT.

Q. Where was the X-59’s first flight from?

A. The X-59’s first flight was from Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, California.

Q. How long did the X-59 fly during its historic first flight?

A. The X-59 flew for 67 minutes before landing and taxiing to NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.

Q. Who flew the X-59 during its historic first flight?

A. NASA test pilot Nils Larson flew the X-59 up to an altitude of about 12,000 feet and an approximate top speed of 230 mph.

Q. Did the X-59’s landing gear remain down during the entire flight?

A. Yes, the plane’s landing gear remained down during the entire flight, a common practice for experimental aircraft flying for the first time.

Q. What is NASA’s goal with the Quesst mission and the X-59 aircraft?

A. NASA aims to usher in a new age of quiet supersonic flight through the unique design and technology of the X-59 in future supersonic transport aircraft.

Q. How will the X-59 perform during its upcoming test flights?

A. The team is focused on preparing for a series of test flights where the aircraft will operate at higher altitudes and supersonic speeds to ensure it meets performance and safety expectations.

Q. What is the significance of the X-59’s design and technology?

A. The unique design and technology of the X-59 are key to achieving quiet supersonic flight in future supersonic transport aircraft.

Q. Where did the X-59 land after its historic first flight?

A. The X-59 landed at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California.