NASA used a special photography technique to capture sound waves as Boom Supersonic's XB-1 jet broke the sound barrier on February 10. NASA
NASA has released an incredible image showing the moment a supersonic jet broke the sound barrier on February 10. The jet, America’s first civil supersonic aircraft, reached speeds above Mach 1 during its second test flight.
Using a technique called Schlieren photography, NASA scientists captured shock waves forming around the aircraft as it sped through the sky. These waves appear when a plane travels faster than the speed of sound, compressing the air in front of it.
“This image makes the invisible visible,” said Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, the company behind the aircraft.
The test pilot, Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, had to fly the jet at a precise time and location over the Mojave Desert. NASA's cameras, equipped with special filters, recorded how the air changed as the plane surpassed Mach 1, which is about 761 miles per hour.
A Quieter Supersonic Future
NASA also studied how much noise the plane produced. Boom Supersonic claims that no sonic boom was heard on the ground during the flight. This is an important breakthrough because loud sonic booms have led to restrictions on supersonic travel over land.
Governments around the world have long banned supersonic flights over populated areas due to their noise. If Boom Supersonic can develop quieter technology, high-speed travel could return for commercial flights.
“This could make coast-to-coast flights 50% faster,” Scholl said.
The test flight was another step toward launching Boom’s supersonic airliner, Overture. The jet already has 130 pre-orders from major airlines, including American, United, and Japan Airlines.
Boom Supersonic's XB-1 jet completed its 11th test flight, making it the first civilian aircraft to break the sound barrier since Concorde. NASA
The Return of Supersonic Travel
It has been nearly 55 years since Concorde’s first supersonic flight in 1970 and over 21 years since its final commercial trip in 2003. Many companies have tried to bring back high-speed air travel, but none have succeeded—yet.
Boom Supersonic believes that supersonic planes will become common again. Scholl envisions a future where passengers can fly “anywhere in the world in four hours for $100.”
Overture, expected to launch before 2030, will carry up to 80 passengers at speeds of Mach 1.7, twice as fast as today’s standard planes. The company plans to introduce more than 600 high-speed routes worldwide.
“A faster airplane saves time, money, and resources,” Scholl said. “We can operate more flights using fewer planes.”
New Technology for a Faster Future
Boom Supersonic has developed advanced technology to improve performance. Unlike Concorde, which had a drooping nose for better runway visibility, Overture will use an augmented reality system to help pilots see more clearly.
The aircraft is made from carbon fiber composites, making it strong and lightweight. It will run on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which could help reduce emissions.
Boom Supersonic recently completed construction of its factory in North Carolina. The facility is designed to produce up to 66 Overture jets per year.
The company remains confident that supersonic travel will return, offering passengers a faster and more efficient way to fly.
