Making Quieter Shock Waves

NASA&rsquo;s X-59 aircraft is intended to demonstrate supersonic flight without the boom. Although we haven&rsquo;t yet heard its &ldquo;sonic thump,&rdquo; we do have a glimpse of what to expect, thanks to wind tunnel tests . (Image credit: NASA; see also: Ars Technica , M. Ahaus et al. )