Sonic Boom Collection

Aircraft sonic boom cloud
Sonic boom aircraft. Cloud forming behind an aircraft as it breaks the sound barrier. As the aircraft moves through the air, an area of low pressure forms behind it

The One-Inch Model Airplane
A one-inch scale model of a typical supersonic airplane design is examined before being installed for sonic boom studies in the four foot supersonic tunnel at Langley Research Center of the National

An F / A-18F Super Hornet completes a super-sonic flyby
Pacific Ocean, November 5, 2006 - An F/A-18F Super Hornet completes a super-sonic flyby as part of an air power demonstration for visitors aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)

A U. S. Navy F / A-18F Super Hornet flies by at high transonic speed
A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet creates a vapor cloud from the shock waves as it flies by at high transonic speed in Chicago, Illinois

An F-22 Raptor performs during an air show
April 1, 2007 - An F-22 Raptor performs for thousands during an air show at Naval Base Ventura County in Point Mugu, California. The F-22 is the Air Forces newest fighter aircraft

A U. S. Air Force F-22 Raptor aircraft executing a supersonic flyby
June 22, 2009 - A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor aircraft participating in Northern Edge 2009 executes a supersonic flyby

An F / A-18E Super Hornet reaches the speed of sound
Atlantic Ocean, August 30, 2008 - An F/A-18E Super Hornet reaches the speed of sound near the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D

A U. S. Navy F / A-18F performs a fast pass over Chicago, Illinois
A U.S. Navy F/A-18F performs a fast pass over Chicago, Illinois

Low-boom supersonic aircraft, artwork C016 / 9709
Low-boom supersonic aircraft. Artwork illustrating an aircraft design concept developed by NASA. This is referred to as the Low-Boom Supersonic Test Case

Schlieren image of shock waves around T-38 jet

Hatford meteor fall, 1628
Hatford meteor fall. Historical artwork of the fall and discovery of meteorite fragments in 1628 near the village of Hatford, in Berkshire, England

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"Exploring the Sonic Boom: NASA's Quest for Quieter Supersonic Flight" In the vast expanse of the sky, an aircraft zooms through the clouds, leaving behind a trail of mystery. This is no ordinary flight; it is a sonic boom in action. The powerful force generated by this phenomenon captivates both scientists and aviation enthusiasts alike. At Lockheed Martin, suspended in mid-air, stands the X-59 - NASA's groundbreaking quiet supersonic technology experimental aircraft. With its sleek design and innovative features, it holds the promise of revolutionizing air travel as we know it. Meanwhile, at Austin Middle School, NASA Armstrong Chief Pilot Nils Larson engages young minds with captivating tales of aeronautics research. These students are inspired to dream big and reach for the skies. On another day off Galveston's coast, maintenance crews prepare the F/A-18 research aircraft for yet another supersonic flight. Test pilots Jim "Clue" Less and Wayne "Ringo" Ringelberg gear up to push boundaries and unlock new frontiers in aviation. As they take off into the unknown, their contrails paint a mesmerizing picture against the azure backdrop. Carla Thomas captures this awe-inspiring moment on camera while preparing herself for an exhilarating journey alongside Ringo. Back at Edwards Air Force Base in California sits another F/A-18 ready to soar high above Earth's surface. Recently completing flight testing with precision instruments onboard designed to capture high-quality measurements – NASA continues its relentless pursuit of knowledge. With Ellington Field as their launchpad near Houston, Texas – NASA's F/A-18 research aircraft embarks on yet another mission towards understanding sonic booms better than ever before. Through these endeavors lies hope for quieter supersonic flights that will transform our future skies forever. As we explore further into uncharted territories with determination and innovation – one thing remains certain: The sonic boom may be loud, but NASA's quest for quieter skies is even louder.