Quesst X-59 nears lift-off

The 'son of Concorde' is almost ready for take-off, finds Milo Boyd

- Milo Boyd

NASA is testing a new aircraft that could pave the way for a new era of supersonic air travel by addressing an issue at the heart of Concorde's commercial failure.

And the dream of a "son of Concorde", capable of whisking passengers from New York City to London in under four hours is edging closer to reality.

NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft has officially begun taxi tests, a significant milestone as this unique experimental plane moves under its own power for the first time.

Last month, the space agency's test pilot Nils Larson, alongside X-59's team comprising NASA and Lockheed Martin staff, carried out the craft's inaugural low-speed taxi test at the US Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California.

This taxiing phase signals the final ground test sequence before the X-59's maiden flight. In the upcoming weeks, the aircraft will incrementally boost its speed, culminating in a high-speed taxi test that will bring it tantalisingly close to liftoff.