Bringing Back Supersonic Flight

Currently, flying faster than the speed of sound over land is prohibited for commercial flights because it creates disruptive sonic booms. NASA's experimental X-59 plane will research how to turn those booms into "sonic thumps," about as loud as a slamming car door. Lead pilot Nils Larson explains how the X-59 could usher in the next era of commercial supersonic flight.

Episode 166 of the Small Steps, Giant Leaps podcast, hosted by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), titled "Bringing Back Supersonic Flight" was published on January 21, 2026 and runs 25 minutes.

January 21, 2026 ·25m · Small Steps, Giant Leaps

Summary

Currently, flying faster than the speed of sound over land is prohibited for commercial flights because it creates disruptive sonic booms. NASA's experimental X-59 plane will research how to turn those booms into "sonic thumps," about as loud as a slamming car door. Lead pilot Nils Larson explains how the X-59 could usher in the next era of commercial supersonic flight.

Episode Description