What we know

NASA's supersonic aircraft, dubbed X-59 has been in the works for over six years now and is inching toward its first test flight which is expected to happen sometime this year.

It's a part of QueSST mission

X-59 is one of the two objectives of NASA's Quiet SuperSonic Technology (QueSST). It works on a technology that reduces the loudness of a "sonic boom."

Paving way for commercial supersonic flights

The other part of the QueSST mission is to fly the X-59 over several US communities. NASA will hand over the collected data to regulators, which could pave the way for commercial supersonic flights.

NASA partnered with Lockheed Martin for X-59

The space agency partnered with Lockheed Martin to design and develop the X-59 aircraft in 2019. The latter received $247.5 million for that purpose.

X-59 measures 99.7-foot-long

X-59 is powered by a single jet engine and measures 99.7-foot-long and 29.5-foot-wide. The aircraft is built to fly at a speed of Mach 1.42 or 1,508km/h at 55,000 feet.

It is gearing up for its first flight

NASA has revealed that X-59 has been moved closer to the runway at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. The team will conduct a series of "significant" ground tests to ensure the aircraft is safe to fly.