Diving into Maintenance with NASA’s X-59
On a hot Thursday at Edwards Air Force Base in the California desert, as NASA’s quiet supersonic X-59 aircraft paused between its 11th and 12th flights, mechanic Jonathan Reynaga climbed a ladder to the top of the aircraft and grabbed a flashlight. He strode down the plane’s wing until he reached the distinctive air inlet that leads […] The post Diving into Maintenance with NASA’s X-59 appeared…
On April 30, 2026, at Edwards Air Force Base in California, NASA's X-59 quiet supersonic aircraft completed its 12th flight. While on pause between the 11th and 12th flights, mechanic Jonathan Reynaga of Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, the X-59's lead design/build contractor, performed a "duct diving" maintenance procedure. This involved diving headfirst into the aircraft's air inlet, shined a flashlight around, and inspected the engine's fan blades and other components.
This routine inspection, though unusual, is crucial for ensuring the health of the engine. The X-59's unique design, with a top-mounted engine, allows it to fly supersonic with minimal noise while also making it easier for technicians to access and inspect the engine. Despite the challenging conditions, with temperatures often exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the desert, the team remains vigilant in their maintenance efforts.
Written by urgent.news from NASA Science's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
