LIVE: NASA is with you from Oshkosh
4 min read
Preparations for Next Moonwalk Simulations Underway (and Underwater)
NASA’s Quesst Mission Panel
Monday, July 22 at 4:30 p.m. EDT
During the first NASA panel this week, NASA test pilots Nils Larson and Jim Less talked to a huge crowd about the supersonic X-59 quiet supersonic experimental aircraft, which is preparing for its first flight. Both pilots have worked on the development of the airplane for several years and know its systems inside and out.
They began the talk by discussing their careers in aviation and how they came to fly for NASA. Larson, for example, was once a U-2 pilot, and Less once flew F-117 fighter jets. The X-59, however, is much different than the types of aircraft they flew before.
As the centerpiece for NASA’s Quesst mission, the X-59’s unique shape is designed to quiet the typical sonic booms associated with supersonic flight and perhaps help lift the half-century ban on faster-than-sound commercial air travel over land.
“We’re trying to turn the boom into a thump – to turn the speed limit into a sound limit,” said Less.
Larsen and Less described to the aviation-enthusiast audience the X-59’s design, how the Quesst mission will fly the X-59 over select communities to gauge community response to its quieter sound, as well as some of the aircraft’s quirks and features.
One of those features: The X-59 doesn’t have a forward-facing window. Instead, the pilots will see what is directly in front of them using the eXternal Vision System – a collection of high-definition cameras and other data sources feeding a 4K monitor located in the cockpit.
Read more about NASA’s Quesst mission.
— John Gould
Meeting NASA’s X-59 Pilots
Monday, July 22 at 2:30 p.m. EDT
Visitors to the NASA pavilion are finding plenty to do during this first full day of the airshow. Activities inside include collecting informational handouts, trying out a flight simulator, and chatting with NASA researchers and engineers.
A popular attraction today is the opportunity to meet the two NASA test pilots who will be flying the X-59 quiet supersonic technology demonstrator. Jim Less (left) and Nils Larson are seen below meeting Oshkosh attendees and signing autographs.
They also participated in a panel today about NASA’s Quesst mission, which will use the X-59 to gather information for federal and international regulators that could lead to enabling commercial faster-than-sound air travel over land.
— John Gould
NASA at Oshkosh Open for Business
Monday, July 22 at 11:30 a.m. EDT
Welcome to NASA’s web coverage of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024.
It’s a bright, sunny, and warm day here in Wisconsin. There are airplanes of all types taking to the skies above us, and many more parked on the airport grounds.
Oshkosh is the largest fly in and airshow in the world. More than half a million people are expected to attend and celebrate the spirit of aviation.
NASA is here too and involved in all kinds of ways. The NASA pavilion – center of NASA-related activities – is now open for the week and already is full of visitors!
To learn more about NASA’s involvement this week, read our preview story.
— John Gould
NASA Aeronautics Returns to Oshkosh
Sunday, July 21 at 8:30 p.m. EDT
NASA will appear at Oshkosh with a full slate of interactive exhibits, informative activities, and fascinating people to meet. But if you can’t make it we’ve got you covered. Enjoy the show virtually right here on this page. John Gould will be onsite this coming week sending in daily updates with news about NASA’s events and festivities. Our goal is to give you our best “you are there” experience. Just with no cheese curds.
— Jim Banke
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First published at NASA.gov
