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Learn about NASA's X-planes and its contributions to America's manned spaceflight program.

Overview
Over the next several years, NASA scientists and engineers will be developing new experimental (X) aircraft, including one that may eventually make supersonic flight over land possible by reducing the loud sonic boom to a “gentle thump” (NASA Low-Boom Flight Demonstration, 2018). This latest X-plane builds on NASA’s soaring legacy of aeronautical innovation, which has made countless contributions to civilian and military aircraft. Just as notable are the small steps that these X-planes provided towards humankind’s giant leap into outer space. To inform the next step along aviation’s progress from subsonic to supersonic flight, NASA researchers will carefully model, measure and calculate various sound properties and flight principles as they construct and analyze the capabilities of this newest X-plane.

Intended Audience: K-12 Educators

Time Required: 7 hours

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