NASA's experimental X-59 aircraft has marked a major milestone by flying faster than the speed of sound for the first time, setting the stage for demonstrating its quiet supersonic capabilities later this year.
NASA test pilot Jim "Clue" Less took off and landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California last Friday, reaching a top speed of approximately Mach 1.1 (713 mph) and altitude of 43,400 feet. The X-59's flight lasted 81 minutes, with the team focusing on flying qualities at both subsonic and then supersonic speeds.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.