Lockheed Martin's renowned Skunk Works® facility in Palmdale, Calif., is set to unveil the highly anticipated NASA X-59 aircraft on Friday, Jan. 12, 2024, at 1 p.m. Pacific Time. The event will be a rare opportunity for aviation enthusiasts to witness the groundbreaking aircraft reveal. Key attendees will include Lockheed Martin and NASA executives, subject matter experts from the X-59 project, as well as California and Federal Government officials.

The X-59, designed and constructed by Lockheed Martin at Skunk Works®, showcases a unique design aimed at minimizing the perceived sound of sonic booms. The aircraft's shape is specifically engineered to transform the boom sound into a gentle thump, comparable to the sound of a distant car door closing.

The X-59 is a pivotal component of NASA's Quesst mission, which seeks to collect community response data through flights over various representative communities across the United States. This comprehensive data will play a crucial role in informing NASA's recommendations for an acceptable commercial supersonic noise standard. The ultimate goal is to potentially lift the existing ban on supersonic flight over land, revolutionizing the future of commercial aviation and drastically reducing flight times by half.

The rollout ceremony, an esteemed tradition in the aviation industry, will showcase speeches by prominent figures from Lockheed Martin and NASA. Following these addresses, the X-59 will be unveiled to the public. For those unable to attend the event in person, live coverage will be provided through the NASA+ streaming service, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and NASA's official website. Instructions on accessing NASA TV through various platforms, including social media, can be found on the agency's website.

Captivating photos and video footage capturing the momentous occasion will be made available promptly for download by media outlets shortly after the conclusion of the ceremony. This captivating event marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of commercial supersonic flight and is expected to reshape the future of the aviation industry.

For additional information on the X-59 and the NASA Quesst mission, visit the dedicated X-59 webpage and NASA Quesst webpage, respectively.