NASA's X-59 hits Mach 1.4 at 55,000 feet in milestone flight

Test pilot Mike Lippert flew NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft for the first time on October 21, reaching Mach 1.4 at 55,000 feet during a one-hour flight over California's Mojave Desert. The flight supports NASA's Quesst mission to gather acoustic data for revising the ban on overland supersonic travel.

• Flight lasted exactly one hour with pilot Mike Lippert
• Top speed Mach 1.4 at 55,000 feet altitude
• Single GE F414 engine produces 22,000 pounds of thrust
• Pilot relies on XVS 4K forward view instead of windshield