QSF18

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Quiet Supersonic

Flights 2018

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Who are we?

National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration

We conduct research to transform 

aviation and usher in a new era of flight.

Our research goals are driven by the 

needs – present and future – of the 

aviation industry.

We do this by working with industry, 

academic and government partners, 

including the Federal Aviation 

Administration.

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Here’s what we 

want to talk 

about with you:

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2. Problems and Solutions to 

realizing that dream.

3. How can the City of Galveston 

help NASA?

1. Our dream: Supersonic air travel 

available to all travelers without 

disturbance to those on land.
What is unique about NASA’s 

dream for supersonic flight?

O V E R W A T E R A N D O V E R L A N D
Benefits beyond 

the speed:

Associated Press

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1. New, world-wide markets for 

aircraft builders and operators.

2. Helps maintain positive U.S. 

trade balance.

3. More high-quality U.S. jobs 

to meet demand for new 

supersonic products.
NASA AERONAUTICS RESEARCH IS 

LEADING THE WAY TO A SOLUTION

Two-fold problem 

to realizing this 

supersonic dream:

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Sonic booms are loud and 

annoying to people on the ground.

Annoying enough that regulations 

were created to prohibit commercial 

supersonic flight over land.
Solution 1: 

Making sonic booms 

quiet as a “thump”

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2. It’s all in the shape of the aircraft 

and how that affects the sounds 

on the ground.

3. Concept proven in ground tests 

using wind tunnels and 

simulations, and in flight tests 

using the F-18.

4. A new supersonic experimental 

aircraft – an “X-plane”– is needed 

to bring all the pieces together.

1. Years of study = solution.
Boom vs. Thump 

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Solution 2: 

Working to change 

the rules

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1. Current rules are based on speed, 

no matter how noisy.

2. Better to have a rule based on 

acceptable sound levels, like current 

airport limits.

3. Need data on public response to 

help set a standard for a “low boom.” 

How low is okay?

4. Working with the FAA, NASA has 

defined a safe, deliberate approach.
This Low-Boom 

Flight Demonstration 

X-Plane will fly in 2021.

NASA is building 

a new X-Plane to 

provide data

Flights will prove the 

supersonic thump 

geometry works on a 

larger aircraft.

Key data will be gathered on 

public perception of quiet 

supersonic flights in several 

cities across the nation.

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We’re working 

hard to make sure 

we do this right

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• It doesn’t matter how quiet NASA thinks 

these planes will be...

• People’s perceptions and responses are 

most important.

• We’ve already done a similar test –

replicate low booms and measure 

people’s responses – over a small 

community housing area at Edwards Air 

Force Base in California.

• In this study we used a NASA F-18 

and a special flight maneuver.
Taking the next step

B e f o r e we r o ll o ut a 

na t i o na l da t a -

ga t he r i ng e f f o r t 

us i ng t he X- pla ne i n 

a f e w y e a r s , we 

ne e d t o t e s t o ur 

me t ho do lo gi e s wi t h 

t he he lp o f a c i t y 

t ha t ’ s no t us e d t o 

he a r i ng s o ni c 

bo o ms .

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G ALV E S T O N

i s t h e p l a c e t o f l y !

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Galveston meets all 

key selection criteria

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3. NASA facilities at Ellington Field can 

support aircraft operations.

4. Local FAA office confirms operations 

will have minimal effect on nearby 

commercial flight operations.

1. Island geography is ideal for sound 

placement on population.

2. Population density and distribution 

aid good survey participation.

Flight Test

Highlights

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1. Up to three weeks of flights 

during November 2018

2. One to 8 “Thumps” each day

3. 20 audio sensors set up with the city 

to measure acoustic exposure

4. 500 members of the public recruited 

to respond to survey
P U B L I C 

E N G A G E M E N T

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1. Pre-selected survey participants will 

be recruited via postcard mailing

2. Media day

3. Opportunities for visits by 

students/VIPs with flight technology 

and personnel such as pilots, 

engineers

4. Citizen science project open to all in 

test area

5. NASA exhibit at Houston Air Show
1. Galveston was selected by NASA to participate in an important test that will help make commercial 

supersonic flight over land possible.

What to 

remember

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3. The test period is planned for November, but the exact dates are flexible.

5. All the sounds heard should be “thumps” of varying loudness but some residents may occasionally 

hear a sound more like a boom.

4. The maximum length for the test is 3 weeks.

2. Galveston was selected because of its unique geography and its proximity to Ellington Field.

6. There is no chance for physical harm to people or animals.
T h e g r e a t a v i a t i o n 

t r a n s f o r m a t i o n b e g i n s . 

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