EDWARDS, Calif. (NASA PR) — This year marks 75 years of flight research at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California and 2021 adds to those achievements. 2021 continued to be challenging while working in a mostly virtual environment, but progress was surely made.

NASA’s next supersonic X-plane, the X-59, is taking shape for upcoming flights; NASA’s first all-electric X-plane, the X-57, completed ground testing to prepare for flights; several Earth science missions were completed around the globe; and many other goals were met to prepare NASA Armstrong for a successful 2022 and beyond.

by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor

Boom Supersonic’s recent rollout of its XB-1 supersonic demonstrator aircraft marked a milestone in an accelerating race to revive an era of civilian supersonic travel that ended when the Concorde jetliner was retired in 2003.

XB-1, aka Baby Boom, is set to begin flight tests next year from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. The Mach 2.2 (2,717 km/h, 1,688 mph) vehicle is the precursor to Boom’s 55-seat Overture airliner, which is scheduled to begin carrying passengers in 2029.

DENVER (Boom Supersonic PR) — Boom Supersonic, the Colorado company building history’s fastest supersonic airliner, has announced the formation of a strategic partnership with Flight Research, Inc. (FRI) aimed at bringing test flights for XB-1, Boom’s supersonic demonstrator aircraft, to the supersonic corridor stretching across the Mojave Desert.

As part of the partnership, FRI will provide Flight Test Support to Boom with a T-38 Talon, a two-seat, twin-jet supersonic trainer, for pilot proficiency training as well as a chase aircraft during XB-1’s flight test program.

MOJAVE, Calif., April 05, 2018 (Flight Research PR) — Flight Research, Inc. (www.flightresearch.com), a leading provider of Flight Test Support, Aircraft Maintenance and Advanced Flight Training, today announced the release of a new Human Spaceflight Training Program which is formally recognized by NASA.

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Credit: Robin Snelson

MOJAVE, Calif. (MASP PR) — This year we welcome new tenant, International Flight Test Institute. The Mojave Air and Space Port is now proudly the home of two test pilot schools. IFTI has a large training staff as well as 35 different aircraft and helicopters to benefit their students.

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