Step into the final leg of our enlightening journey with Kalea Texeira, where the spotlight turns once more to aluminium but not as the old guard of aerospace materials. Instead, as Texeira compellingly reveals, aluminium re-emerges from the X-59 program as a vital force shaping the future of flight. Far from being left behind in the age of advanced composites and high-temperature alloys, aluminium proves it still has plenty of lift.

Read the full interview below for her complete insights. Missed the first two parts? Catch up on Part 1 & Part 2 by clicking the link here!

AL Circle: Do the technologies developed for the X-59 have commercial or military crossover potential, particularly in future green aviation platforms?

Kalea Texeira: The technologies developed and validated through NASA’s X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) program possess significant commercial and military crossover potential, particularly as the aviation industry increasingly prioritizes green aviation platforms. The X-59’s primary innovation—the ability to achieve quiet supersonic flight— has far-reaching implications beyond its immediate research objectives.

Commercial Crossover Potential:

• Revitalization of Commercial Supersonic Travel: The most direct commercial application is the potential to re-establish and expand commercial supersonic passenger travel. By demonstrating that sonic booms can be reduced to a gentle "thump," the X-59 aims to provide the data necessary for regulatory bodies to lift current restrictions on supersonic flight over land [25]. This would unlock vast new markets for high-speed air travel, significantly reducing transcontinental and transoceanic flight times. Companies like Boom Supersonic and others are actively pursuing commercial supersonic aircraft, and the X-59’s success could directly inform their designs and accelerate their market entry.
• Advanced Aerodynamic Design Principles: The X-59’s unique aerodynamic shaping, which manipulates shockwaves to minimize noise, offers valuable insights for future aircraft designs. These principles could be adapted for other high-speed commercial aircraft, potentially leading to more efficient and quieter designs, even for subsonic aircraft, by optimizing airflow and reducing drag.
• Enhanced Passenger Experience: Beyond speed, the ability to fly supersonic without disruptive noise could lead to a more comfortable and acceptable travel experience for both passengers and those on the ground, fostering greater public acceptance of high- speed air travel.

Military Crossover Potential: