NASA X-59 Quiet Supersonic Jet's Second Test Flight Cut Short by Cockpit Glitch

NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft completed its second-ever test flight on March 20 from Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, but landed after only nine minutes when a cockpit warning light triggered a return-to-base call. The X-59, built by Lockheed Martin for NASA's Quesst mission, is designed to break the sound barrier without producing thunderous sonic booms, potentially enabling commercial supersonic flight over land. Despite the abbreviated flight, NASA called it 'a good day for the team.' The flight kicks off a series of dozens of test flights planned for 2026.