America's Newest X-Plane Has Finally Become Airborne!

Lockheed Martin

X-59 Soars: A New Era In Supersonic Flight Begins (Press Release)

PALMDALE, Calif. -- Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® (NYSE: LMT), in partnership with NASA, successfully completed the first flight of the X-59, a revolutionary, quiet supersonic aircraft designed to pave the way for faster commercial air travel.

The X-59 took off from Skunk Works' facility at U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, before landing near NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. The X-59 performed exactly as planned, verifying initial flying qualities and air data performance on the way to a safe landing at its new home.

"We are thrilled to achieve the first flight of the X-59," said OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. "This aircraft is a testament to the innovation and expertise of our joint team, and we are proud to be at the forefront of quiet supersonic technology development."

The X-59 is a one-of-a-kind supersonic aircraft designed to demonstrate the ability to fly at supersonic speeds while reducing the sonic boom to a gentle thump. In doing so, the X-59 aims to overcome one of the primary barriers to supersonic commercial flight, which is currently restricted over land due to noise concerns. The X-59's successful development and flight testing will inform the establishment of new data-driven acceptable noise thresholds related to supersonic commercial flight over land, paving the way for a new generation of supersonic aircraft that can efficiently and sustainably transport passengers and cargo twice as fast as aircraft today.

"X-59 is a symbol of American ingenuity. The American spirit knows no bounds. It's part of our DNA – the desire to go farther, faster and even quieter than anyone has ever gone before. This work sustains America's place as the leader in aviation and has the potential to change the way the public flies," said Sean Duffy, acting NASA Administrator.

Skunk Works will continue to lead the aircraft's initial flight test campaign, working closely with NASA to expand the X-59's flight envelope over the coming months. Part of this test journey will include the X-59's first supersonic flights, where the aircraft will achieve the optimal speed and altitude for a quiet boom. This will enable NASA to operate the X-59 to measure its sound signature and conduct community acceptance testing.

This achievement demonstrates Lockheed Martin's commitment to pushing the boundaries of aerospace innovation and its dedication to creating cutting-edge solutions for the future of flight.

Source: Lockheed Martin

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Jarod M. Hamilton


Jarod M. Hamilton

The X-59 has completed its first flight! 🎉✈️
A new era of supersonic flight begins with Skunk Works® and @NASA. pic.twitter.com/iqtNWC6TxJ

— Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) October 28, 2025

The Latest Update on Astrobotic's Next Moon Mission...

Astrobotic

Griffin-1 Mission Update (Press Release)

Griffin-1 continues to gain momentum on the path to deliver Astrolab’s FLIP (FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform) rover, Astrobotic’s own CubeRover®, and several additional payloads to the Moon. Read on for updates on integration, payloads and software testing.

Propulsion Integration

Griffin-1’s propulsion architecture centers around four high-performance Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel (COPV) propellant tanks engineered to be both lightweight and structurally robust, reliably containing substantial propellant loads at extreme operating pressures. Once the four propellant tanks are installed, final integration activities will be completed, and Griffin-1 will undergo environmental acceptance testing to ensure that the lander will endure the challenging environments of launch, space and the lunar surface.

Avionics Ready for Launch

In-house designed avionics flight hardware has been assembled and accepted for flight. These systems form the backbone of Griffin’s on-board control and telemetry, clearing a critical path towards spacecraft integration and ongoing system electrical testing. Designing, building and testing our avionics systems in-house enables the team to accelerate the development cycle, allowing for low-cost, rapid iterations that reduce risks and enhance performance.

Tighter control of this process also enables the team to design core products that are more easily adapted to future mission requirements, decreasing the cost and schedule for the next missions to space.

In tandem with flight-equivalent avionics, Astrobotic has implemented a fully closed-loop simulation of the descent and landing sequence. This system uses our custom LunaRay software to generate real-time images and 3D point clouds (dense sets of spatial data points that represent the shape and features of the lunar surface). These are processed by our Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN) and Hazard Detection & Avoidance (HDA) systems, and are a vital step in validating our autonomous landing technologies for a GPS-denied environment.

Griffin-1 Manifest

Astrolab’s FLIP (FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform) rover is undergoing developmental thermal vacuum testing, and core rover systems are integrated. Astrolab has individually tested key units and completed integrated functional testing of avionics, power and telecommunications. In addition, we have completed mobility and egress testing using the FLIP test platform.

Over the next several months, Astrolab will complete payload integration and vehicle-level protoqualification testing. The mission will demonstrate critical technologies—including telerobotic operations, lunar mobility, solar power generation and thermal resilience—that form the foundation of Astrolab’s larger FLEX rover. In addition to commercial and government payload operations, Astrolab will conduct key experiments in mobility, perception, dust characterization, guidance and navigation, and communication.

BEACON‘s joint mission development with Astrobotic and Mission Control is well underway. A simulation has been completed on a Flatsat, a high-fidelity electrical copy of the rover used for testing. The rover has successfully connected and communicated with the Griffin lunar lander’s Flatsat.

This integrated simulation, which included CubeRover® operating with Mission Control’s Spacefarer™ software, is helping finalize the rover’s software ahead of its expected completion at the end of October.

All secondary payloads have been received and are undergoing final physical and functional checkouts on our Production FlatSat system, which supports end-to-end systems and software verification.

Structural Integration

Griffin’s core structure is nearing full integration. Pressurant tanks, ramps, attitude control thrusters and solar panels have all successfully undergone fit checks.

Looking Ahead

With engine qualification testing underway and critical systems coming online, Griffin-1 is advancing towards the Moon. Each milestone brings us closer to delivering payloads to the lunar surface, demonstrating precision landing, and advancing sustainable lunar infrastructure. The team is targeting the next viable launch window, which opens in July 2026.

Stay tuned for more mission updates as we near completion of Griffin-1 for the Moon and beyond.

Source: Astrobotic

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Astrobotic


Astrobotic


Astrolab

What Could've Been with 'Trident'...

L.M. Prockter et al. LPI / JPL / SwRI

Just thought I'd point out that Trident, an Outer Planet flyby mission that was under consideration by NASA five years ago, would've launched sometime this month (between October 10th and October 30th, to be exact) had NASA selected it as one of its next Discovery-class spacecraft back in 2021. Trident ended up losing to two Venus missions, DAVINCI and VERITAS, that will either be cancelled for budgetary reasons by Trump or not launch till later next decade.

Had Trident not launched this month, it could've lifted off in October of next year for an arrival at Neptune and its enigmatic moon Triton in September of 2038. Would've, could've, should've.


L.M. Prockter et al. LPI / JPL / SwRI