Thanks to a particular photographic technique, NASA immortalized the shock waves of the supersonic Jet XB-1 while breaking the “sound wall” (without boom!).
On February 10, 2025, NASA captured an extraordinary image: thedemonstration plane XB-1 Of Boom Supersonicthe first American supersonic civil jet, in the moments where the sound barrier broke during his second flight. Thanks to an advanced photography technique, the Schlieren Photographyit was possible to view the shock waves which are generated when a aircraft exceeds the Mach 1 speed (ie the “sound speed”, equal to about 1,200 km/h at sea level and 1,050 km/has 1,100 meters above sea level).
Photography was taken in Mojave desertwhere the test driver Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg It positioned the XB-1 at the exact point so that NASA could record the phenomenon while the plane passed in front of the sun. The technique used allows to detect the variations of air density, making (in practice!) The invisible visible.
You can see the waves, but the boom is not heard
But the most surprising result of the test concerns the absence of a audible sonic boom On the ground. The noise generated by the overcoming of the speed of the sound has always been the main obstacle so far on the return of supersonic commercial flights.
The reduction of the acoustic impact could afford air travel in the future at double speed compared to current line jets, without the restrictions that have so far prohibited supersonic flights over densely populated areas.
The XB-1 is the precursor of OverBoom Supersonic’s passenger jet, which aims to enter service by the end of the decade, with 130 orders already confirmed by companies such as American Airlines, United Airlines and Japan Airlines. Overture will transport from 64 to 80 passengers to Mach 1.7, reducing intercontinental travel times up to 50%
The return of the civil supersonic flight is a little closer
Thanks to the progress in technologyin advanced materials and propulsionBoom Supersonic is overcoming the challenges that led to the sunset of the Agreed In 2003. The new jet will be made in Carbon fiber composites To guarantee lightness and resistance, while it will use Sustainable fuels (SAF) To reduce the environmental impact.
The supersonic flight revolution is getting closer, and thanks to technologies such as Schlieren photography, we can now see it with our eyes.
