NASA’s X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology Demonstrator fired its engine on January 22, 2025, to test its advanced afterburner system in Palmdale, California. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works conducted the experiment at NASA’s contractor facility as part of the Quiet Supersonic Project (QSP). The engine tested the X-59’s ability to maximize thrust during high-speed flight, supporting NASA’s goal of achieving quieter and more efficient supersonic travel. This milestone validates the technology’s potential for future missions while maintaining environmental sustainability.
Source: https://www.nasa.gov/gallery/x-59-afterburner-testing-gallery