NASA conducting 'quiet sonic boom' tests in Galveston over the next two weeks

11/6/2018

NASA's Commercial Supersonic Technology Project addresses the media at Scholes Field Terminal Tuesday, April 17, 2018, in Galveston. NASA held a news conference to unveil plans to conduct a series of supersonic technology research flights over the Galveston, Texas, area, in support of the agency's Commercial Supersonic Technology Project. The flights, which will take off from nearby Ellington Airport, will take place in November 2018, and feature a NASA F/A-18 aircraft performing a series of supersonic dive maneuvers off the coast.( NASA ) less

NASA's Commercial Supersonic Technology Project addresses the media at Scholes Field Terminal Tuesday, April 17, 2018, in Galveston. NASA held a news conference to unveil plans to conduct a series of supersonic ... more
Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle
NASA held a news conference to unveil plans to conduct a series of supersonic technology research flights over the Galveston, Texas, area, in support of the agency's Commercial Supersonic Technology Project. The flights, which will take off from nearby Ellington Airport, will take place in November 2018, and feature a NASA F/A-18 aircraft performing a series of supersonic dive maneuvers off the coast.( NASA PHOTO ) less

NASA held a news conference to unveil plans to conduct a series of supersonic technology research flights over the Galveston, Texas, area, in support of the agency's Commercial Supersonic Technology Project. ... more
Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Houston Chronicle
PHOTOS: Blast from the past
NASA held a news conference to unveil plans to conduct a series of supersonic technology research flights over the Galveston, Texas, area, in support of the agency's Commercial Supersonic Technology Project. The flights, which will take off from nearby Ellington Airport, will take place in November 2018, and feature a NASA F/A-18 aircraft performing a series of supersonic dive maneuvers off the coast.( NASA PHOTO )
>>See more for the of NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia...
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PHOTOS: Blast from the past
NASA held a news conference to unveil plans to conduct a series of supersonic technology research flights over the Galveston, Texas, area, in support of the agency's Commercial
... more
Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Houston Chronicle
The Space Shuttle Columbia circa 1981. (Photo by Bret Lundberg/IMAGES/Getty Images)

The Space Shuttle Columbia circa 1981. (Photo by Bret Lundberg/IMAGES/Getty Images)

Photo: Images Press/Getty Images
The Space Shuttle Columbia circa 1981. (Photo by Bret Lundberg/IMAGES/Getty Images)

The Space Shuttle Columbia circa 1981. (Photo by Bret Lundberg/IMAGES/Getty Images)

Photo: Images Press/Getty Images
(Original Caption) Cape Canaveral: The Columbia roars away from the launch pad with news people watching.

(Original Caption) Cape Canaveral: The Columbia roars away from the launch pad with news people watching.

Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive
Kennedy Space Center, launch of shuttle Columbia (STS-28), August 8th 1989, First flight in three and a half years.

Kennedy Space Center, launch of shuttle Columbia (STS-28), August 8th 1989, First flight in three and a half years.

Photo: Photo 12/UIG Via Getty Images
STS-1 at complex 39's Pad A, 1st launch of a shuttle (begininig of the Space Transportation Systems) and first launch of Columbia, April 12th 1981.

STS-1 at complex 39's Pad A, 1st launch of a shuttle (begininig of the Space Transportation Systems) and first launch of Columbia, April 12th 1981.

Photo: Photo 12/UIG Via Getty Images
(Original Caption) Kennedy Space Center, Florida: Arrival of the space shuttle Columbia, at the center.

(Original Caption) Kennedy Space Center, Florida: Arrival of the space shuttle Columbia, at the center.

Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive
Space Shuttle Columbia on Earth, 1980s. Rear of Columbia, at Kennedy Space Centre, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, showing Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME). The Shuttle has three main engines which are used during the early stages of the launch. The Space Shuttle, the world's first partially reusable launch vehicle, first flew on 12 April 1981 and has been used for all America's manned space missions ever since.
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Space Shuttle Columbia on Earth, 1980s. Rear of Columbia, at Kennedy Space Centre, Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA, showing Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME). The Shuttle has three main engines which are used
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Photo: Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images
American astronaut Robert Crippen boards the Space Shuttle Columbia during training at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, 17th January 1980.

American astronaut Robert Crippen boards the Space Shuttle Columbia during training at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, 17th January 1980.

Photo: Space Frontiers/Getty Images
The cockpit of the space shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle OV-102), on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, 1981.

The cockpit of the space shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle OV-102), on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, 1981.

Photo: Space Frontiers/Getty Images
Space Shuttle Columbia 2nd Mission Launch Site Coverage - Airdate: November 12, 1981.

Space Shuttle Columbia 2nd Mission Launch Site Coverage - Airdate: November 12, 1981.

Photo: ABC Photo Archives/ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images
A billboard along a highway leading toward Kennedy Space Center wishes 'Best of luck' to Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew prior to its maiden launch on April 12, 1981. It was the first launch of a Space Shuttle orbiter and carried a two-man crew. John Young was the mission commander and Robert Crippen was the pilot.
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A billboard along a highway leading toward Kennedy Space Center wishes 'Best of luck' to Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew prior to its maiden launch on April 12, 1981. It was the first launch of a Space
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Photo: Robert Alexander/Getty Images
Space Shuttle Columbia 3rd Mission Launch Coverage from Kennedy Space Center - Airdate: March 22, 1982.

Space Shuttle Columbia 3rd Mission Launch Coverage from Kennedy Space Center - Airdate: March 22, 1982.

Photo: ABC Photo Archives/ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images
NASA astronauts John Watts Young (left) and Robert Laurel Crippen, the crew of the STS-1 mission on the space shuttle 'Columbia' (NASA Orbiter Vehicle OV-102), give a thumbs up from the cockpit of the shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, 20th October 1980.
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NASA astronauts John Watts Young (left) and Robert Laurel Crippen, the crew of the STS-1 mission on the space shuttle 'Columbia' (NASA Orbiter Vehicle OV-102), give a thumbs up from the cockpit of the shuttle
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Photo: Space Frontiers/Getty Images
A NASA technician helps prepare the shuttle for launch on March 22, 1982 at the launch base in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The space shuttle Columbia took its first of 28 missions to space on April 12, 1981. This mission, STS-3, is its third.
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A NASA technician helps prepare the shuttle for launch on March 22, 1982 at the launch base in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The space shuttle Columbia took its first of 28 missions to space on April 12, 1981. This
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Photo: Joe McNally/Getty Images
Space shuttle Columbia in second flight.

Space shuttle Columbia in second flight.

Photo: Time Life Pictures/The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
Missing tiles are evident on the space shuttle Columbia I, under construction at Cape Canaveral.

Missing tiles are evident on the space shuttle Columbia I, under construction at Cape Canaveral.

Photo: Ray Fisher/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Columbia space shuttle glides down over Rogers dry lake as it heads for landing at Edwards Air Force base April 14, 1981.

Columbia space shuttle glides down over Rogers dry lake as it heads for landing at Edwards Air Force base April 14, 1981.

Photo: Apic/Getty Images
As two birds fly above, the Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off from launch pad 39B July 26, 2005 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. In addition to studying debris that may have hit the shuttle, John Shannon, a NASA operations manager disclosed that the nose cone of the fuel tank hit a bird during liftoff. Discovery's mission, the first since the Columbia disaster, lasts 11 days and includes a visit to the International Space Station.
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As two birds fly above, the Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off from launch pad 39B July 26, 2005 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. In addition to studying debris that may have hit the
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Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Excellent of the cargo bay of space shuttle Columbia I, under construction at Cape Canaveral prior to its first launch.

Excellent of the cargo bay of space shuttle Columbia I, under construction at Cape Canaveral prior to its first launch.

Photo: Ray Fisher/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
Smoke rolls from the tires of the Space Shuttle Columbia 18 March 1994 after it touches down and rolls past photographers on runway 33 in Kennedy Space Center, FL. Columbia carried a five-person crew that performed micro-gravity and engineering experiments during during fourteen days in orbit.
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Smoke rolls from the tires of the Space Shuttle Columbia 18 March 1994 after it touches down and rolls past photographers on runway 33 in Kennedy Space Center, FL. Columbia carried a five-person crew that
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Photo: BRIAN CLEARY/AFP/Getty Images
President Ronald Reagan talking on the telephone to the astronauts on space shuttle Columbia's third mission while sitting in the Oval Office of the White House.

President Ronald Reagan talking on the telephone to the astronauts on space shuttle Columbia's third mission while sitting in the Oval Office of the White House.

Photo: Diana Walker/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
In this NASA handout photo, NASA crash investigators place debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia onto a grid on the floor of a hangar on March 7, 2003 at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. NASA is attempting to reassemble debris from the shuttle to learn what caused Columbia to break-up during reentry. NASA Mission Control lost contact with the Space Shuttle Columbia during the reentry phase of mission STS-107 on February 1, 2003 and later learned that the shuttle had broken up over Texas. Debris from the wreckage drifted hundreds of miles from central Texas to Louisiana. All seven astronauts onboard the Shuttle died in the crash.
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In this NASA handout photo, NASA crash investigators place debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia onto a grid on the floor of a hangar on March 7, 2003 at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. NASA is attempting to
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Photo: Getty Images
A message reading "I'll Never Forget. You Are Heroes." is written next to a photograph of the astronauts who were killed aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia as part of a tribute at the Intrepid Sea Air Space Museum February 4, 2003 in New York City. The museum is located aboard the former aircraft carrier USS Intrepid which was used by NASA in the 1960's as the prime recovery vessel for Mercury astronaut Scott Carpenter and Gemini astronauts Gus Grissom and John Young.
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A message reading "I'll Never Forget. You Are Heroes." is written next to a photograph of the astronauts who were killed aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia as part of a tribute at the Intrepid Sea Air Space
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Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images
Debris from the space shuttle Columbia is shown falling in this image from a U.S. Army Apache helicopter military video released February 12, 2003. Two Dutch military pilots training out of Fort Hood, Texas shot the video of the shuttle breaking up in flight February 1 as it returned from an orbital mission.
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Debris from the space shuttle Columbia is shown falling in this image from a U.S. Army Apache helicopter military video released February 12, 2003. Two Dutch military pilots training out of Fort Hood, Texas
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Photo: Getty Images
A duplicate image of the space shuttle Columbia is reflected on a waterway as it is moved to a preparation site at the Edwards Air Force Base in California.

A duplicate image of the space shuttle Columbia is reflected on a waterway as it is moved to a preparation site at the Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Photo: Historical/Corbis Via Getty Images
NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft in flight with the shuttle Columbia mounted on its back. It is returning Columbia to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft in flight with the shuttle Columbia mounted on its back. It is returning Columbia to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Photo: Historical/Corbis Via Getty Images
NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft in flight with the shuttle Columbia mounted on its back. It is returning Columbia to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA's 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft in flight with the shuttle Columbia mounted on its back. It is returning Columbia to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Photo: Historical/Corbis Via Getty Images
Texas state troopers stand guard over a suspected piece of debris from the space shuttle Columbia February 2, 2003 in Douglass, Texas. Officials combed the Texas countryside looking for pieces of the shuttle after Columbia broke apart 200,000 feet above Texas during its landing approach one day earlier.
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Texas state troopers stand guard over a suspected piece of debris from the space shuttle Columbia February 2, 2003 in Douglass, Texas. Officials combed the Texas countryside looking for pieces of the shuttle
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Photo: Chris Hondros/Getty Images
A parachute open behind the Space Shuttle Columbia as it lands at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

A parachute open behind the Space Shuttle Columbia as it lands at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Photo: Historical/Corbis Via Getty Images
Teachers from left, Sue O'Brien(CQ), Cathie Haynes and Trina Dye marvel at the heat dissipating tiles on the underside of the space shuttle Columbia at Plant 42 in Palmdale on Thursday 8 June 2000. Du Val was among 20 public school teachers who are alumni of the annual Boeing Educators to Space Camp program visiting the Boeing Reusable Space SystemsÂ–Â–Assembly, Integration and Test Facility.
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Teachers from left, Sue O'Brien(CQ), Cathie Haynes and Trina Dye marvel at the heat dissipating tiles on the underside of the space shuttle Columbia at Plant 42 in Palmdale on Thursday 8 June 2000. Du Val was
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Photo: Brian Vander Brug/LA Times Via Getty Images
(Original Caption) Lancaster, California: The space shuttle orbiter Columbia ties up traffic as it noses into a Lancaster intersection early 3/8. The shuttle is being towed to Edwards Air Force Base where it will be placed atop a Boeing 747 for the flight to Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a scheduled 11.79 orbital launch.
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(Original Caption) Lancaster, California: The space shuttle orbiter Columbia ties up traffic as it noses into a Lancaster intersection early 3/8. The shuttle is being towed to Edwards Air Force Base where it
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Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive
1986 file photo of NASA Space Shuttle Columbia landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

1986 file photo of NASA Space Shuttle Columbia landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

Photo: George Fry/LA Times Via Getty Images
Inside the cockpit of the space shuttle "Columbia" is Allen M. Hoffman (cq) assembly and test operations director at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale where the aircraft is being reassembled..

Inside the cockpit of the space shuttle "Columbia" is Allen M. Hoffman (cq) assembly and test operations director at Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale where the aircraft is being reassembled..

Photo: Boris Yaro/LA Times Via Getty Images
The space shuttle Columbia at Plant 42 in Palmdale is being refurbished after 26 missions. 20 public school teachers who are alumni of the annual Boeing Educators to Space Camp program visiting the Boeing Reusable Space Systems.
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The space shuttle Columbia at Plant 42 in Palmdale is being refurbished after 26 missions. 20 public school teachers who are alumni of the annual Boeing Educators to Space Camp program visiting the Boeing
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Photo: Brian Vander Brug/LA Times Via Getty Images
(Original Caption) Lancaster, California: The space shuttle orbiter Columbia ties up traffic as it noses into a Lancaster intersection early 3/8. The shuttle is being towed to Edwards Air Force Base where it will be placed atop a Boeing 747 for the flight to Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a scheduled 11.79 orbital launch.
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(Original Caption) Lancaster, California: The space shuttle orbiter Columbia ties up traffic as it noses into a Lancaster intersection early 3/8. The shuttle is being towed to Edwards Air Force Base where it
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Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive
(Original Caption) Palmdale, California: As dawn broke the space shuttle orbiter Columbia was already moving down the road toward Edwards Air Force Base, a 40 mile journey requiring nine hours to negotiate. When Columbia is launched into orbit next November, the spacecraft will be able to circle the Earth in 90 minutes. The shuttle is being taken to Edwards AFB where it will be mounted on a Boeing 747 for the flight to Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the orbital launch.
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(Original Caption) Palmdale, California: As dawn broke the space shuttle orbiter Columbia was already moving down the road toward Edwards Air Force Base, a 40 mile journey requiring nine hours to negotiate.
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Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive
(Original Caption) Earth Orbit: What appears to be a space card game is actually just four STS-9 crew enjoying a rare brief moment of collective fun inside the Spacelab module on board the Earth orbiting Columbia. Left to right are: Owen K. Garriott, Robert A. Parker, Ulf Merbold and Byron Lichtenberg. The "card table" here is the scientific airlock hatch, and the "cards" are the targets sued in the Awareness of Position experiment. Not in the picture are John W. Young and Brewster H. Shaw Jr., who spent most of their time in the Columbia's mid deck and flight deck.
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(Original Caption) Earth Orbit: What appears to be a space card game is actually just four STS-9 crew enjoying a rare brief moment of collective fun inside the Spacelab module on board the Earth orbiting
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Photo: Bettmann/Bettmann Archive
Astronauts John M, Grunsfeld And Richard Linnehan, Astronauts John Grunsfeld And Richard Linnehan Near The Hubble Space Telescope, Temporarily Hosted In The Space Shuttle Columbia's Cargo Bay, March 8, 2002.

Astronauts John M, Grunsfeld And Richard Linnehan, Astronauts John Grunsfeld And Richard Linnehan Near The Hubble Space Telescope, Temporarily Hosted In The Space Shuttle Columbia's Cargo Bay, March 8, 2002.

Photo: Encyclopaedia Britannica/UIG Via Getty Images
Rear of Columbia, at NASA?s Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, showing the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME). The Shuttle has three main engines which are used during the early stages of the launch. The Space Shuttle, the world's first partially reusable launch vehicle, first flew on 12th April 1981 and has been used for all America's manned space missions ever since. Columbia was the first of the Shuttle fleet to fly, and successfully completed 28 missions before being lost, together with its crew of seven, on re-entry over Texas on 1st February 2003.
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Rear of Columbia, at NASA?s Kennedy Space Centre, Florida, showing the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSME). The Shuttle has three main engines which are used during the early stages of the launch. The Space
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Photo: Science & Society Picture Library/SSPL Via Getty Images
Space Shuttle Columbia, atop the Mobile Launcher Platform, approaches the top of Launch Pad 39A where it will undergo preparations for launch : lift-off on january 26, 2003,Shuttle broke up at re-entry on February 1, 2003.
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Space Shuttle Columbia, atop the Mobile Launcher Platform, approaches the top of Launch Pad 39A where it will undergo preparations for launch : lift-off on january 26, 2003,Shuttle broke up at re-entry on
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Photo: Apic/Getty Images
The first manned Shuttle, Columbia, crewed by Robert Crippen and John Young, was launched from the Kennedy Space Centre, Cape Canaveral, Florida, on 12th April 1981. Columbia orbited 36 times before landing safely back on Earth. The Space Shuttle, the world's first partially reusable launch vehicle, has been used for all America's manned space missions ever since. Columbia successfully completed 28 missions before being lost, together with its crew of seven, on re-entry over Texas on 1st February 2003.
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The first manned Shuttle, Columbia, crewed by Robert Crippen and John Young, was launched from the Kennedy Space Centre, Cape Canaveral, Florida, on 12th April 1981. Columbia orbited 36 times before landing
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Photo: Science & Society Picture Library/SSPL Via Getty Images
In order to descend to earth the Shuttle is turned so that its orbital manoeuvring system (OMS) engines point in the direction of travel. The engines are fired, slowing the craft until it falls to Earth. As the air gets thicker, the aerodynamic controls become effective and the Orbiter glides down to a landing. The Space Shuttle, the world's first partially reusable launch vehicle, first flew on 12th April 1981 and has been used for all America's manned space missions ever since. Columbia was the first of the Shuttle fleet to fly, and successfully completed 28 missions before being lost, together with its crew of seven, on re-entry over Texas on 1st February 2003.
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In order to descend to earth the Shuttle is turned so that its orbital manoeuvring system (OMS) engines point in the direction of travel. The engines are fired, slowing the craft until it falls to Earth. As the
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Photo: Science & Society Picture Library/SSPL Via Getty Images
The Crawler Transporter, carrying the Shuttle on its mobile launch platform, moving into position on Launch Pad 39A on its way to 'hard down', or final position, at the Kennedy Space Centre, Cape Canaveral, Florida. This third Space Shuttle test flight, carrying astronauts Jack Lousma and Charles Fullerton in the Orbiter Columbia, was launched on 22nd March 1982 and spent eight days in orbit. The Space Shuttle, the world's first partially reusable launch vehicle, first flew on 12 April 1981 and has been used for all America's manned space missions ever since. Columbia was the first of the Shuttle fleet to fly, and successfully completed 28 missions before being lost, together with its crew of seven, on re-entry over Texas on 1st February 2003.
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The Crawler Transporter, carrying the Shuttle on its mobile launch platform, moving into position on Launch Pad 39A on its way to 'hard down', or final position, at the Kennedy Space Centre, Cape Canaveral,
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Photo: Science & Society Picture Library/SSPL Via Getty Images
Space Shuttle Columbia sits on Launch Pad 39A, atop the Mobile Launcher Platform, : lift-off on January 26, 2003, Shuttle broke up at re-entry on February 1, 2003.

Space Shuttle Columbia sits on Launch Pad 39A, atop the Mobile Launcher Platform, : lift-off on January 26, 2003, Shuttle broke up at re-entry on February 1, 2003.

Photo: Apic/Getty Images
In this image from video, Mission Specialist David Brown is seen on the flight deck of the Space Shuttle Columbia during mission STS-107, between 16th January and 1st February 2003. The Space Shuttle Columbia broke up over Texas during re-entry on February 1, 2003.
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In this image from video, Mission Specialist David Brown is seen on the flight deck of the Space Shuttle Columbia during mission STS-107, between 16th January and 1st February 2003. The Space Shuttle Columbia
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Photo: Getty Images
Space Shuttle Columbia, atop the Mobile Launcher Platform, approaches the top of Launch Pad 39A where it will undergo preparations for launch : lift-off on January 26, 2003,Shuttle broke up at re-entry on February 1, 2003.
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Space Shuttle Columbia, atop the Mobile Launcher Platform, approaches the top of Launch Pad 39A where it will undergo preparations for launch : lift-off on January 26, 2003,Shuttle broke up at re-entry on
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Photo: Apic/Getty Images
The crew of the NASA Space Shuttle mission STS-107; mission specialists Kalpana Chawla and Laurel Clark, pilot William "Willie" McCool, commander Rick Husband, mission specialist David Brown, payload specialist Ilan Ramon and payload commander Michael Anderson (L to R) pose for a picture on December 18, 2002 at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The crew will fly aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, which is scheduled to launch on January 16, 2003.
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The crew of the NASA Space Shuttle mission STS-107; mission specialists Kalpana Chawla and Laurel Clark, pilot William "Willie" McCool, commander Rick Husband, mission specialist David Brown, payload specialist
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Photo: Getty Images
The crew of Space Shuttle Columbia's mission STS-107 take a break from their training regime to pose for the traditional crew portrait. Seated in front are astronauts Rick D. Husband (L), mission commander; Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist; and William C. McCool, pilot. Standing are (L to R) astronauts David M. Brown, Laurel B. Clark, and Michael P. Anderson, all mission specialists; and Ilan Ramon, payload specialist representing the Israeli Space Agency. The Space Shuttle Columbia broke up over Texas during re-entry on February 1, 2003.
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The crew of Space Shuttle Columbia's mission STS-107 take a break from their training regime to pose for the traditional crew portrait. Seated in front are astronauts Rick D. Husband (L), mission commander;
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Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle

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NASA's Commercial Supersonic Technology Project addresses the media at Scholes Field Terminal Tuesday, April 17, 2018, in Galveston. NASA held a news conference to unveil plans to conduct a series of supersonic technology research flights over the Galveston, Texas, area, in support of the agency's Commercial Supersonic Technology Project. The flights, which will take off from nearby Ellington Airport, will take place in November 2018, and feature a NASA F/A-18 aircraft performing a series of supersonic dive maneuvers off the coast.( NASA ) less

Photo: Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle

NASA has begun a series of quiet supersonic research flights off the Texas Gulf Coast near Galveston to test how the community responds to the noise from a new experimental aircraft that could eventually cut commercial flight times by half.

The space agency on Monday began testing "quiet sonic booms" near the island community using F/A-18 jets as part of its Quiet Supersonic Flights 2018, or QSF18, campaign. The jets are flying over the Gulf of Mexico in a unique maneuver as part of a two-week project to assess public reactions to the noise.

"QSF18 is a big step in NASA's efforts to understand what is required for acceptable supersonic overland flight," said Peter Coen, NASA's commercial supersonic technology project manager, in a statement.

"This is the first time in decades that we have reached out to a large community as part of our supersonic research," Coen said. "NASA has performed similar tests at our Armstrong Flight Research Center, using similar sounds created by the same F/A-18. We've measured the noise levels and the impact on structures, as well as surveyed people for annoyance, to make certain that these tests are safe and well-planned. We greatly appreciate Galveston's interest and support."

NASA officials hope the Galveston tests will help further the agency's goal of perfecting supersonic flight — an elusive goal marred by previous efforts decades ago with the Concorde, an aircraft that could cross the Atlantic in just over three hours by traveling twice the speed of sound. It was eventually banned by federal aviation officials after residents complained about noise from the plane's sonic boom.

The public response data that NASA collects will be provided to the Federal Aviation Administration for use in developing new rules about potential supersonic passenger flights that could cut cross-country commercial flight times in half. Currently, the FAA bans these flights over land, in part because of concerns about how they would affect communities and infrastructure on the ground.

The F/A-18's supersonic dive maneuver starts out over the water. At around 50,000 feet the aircraft are put into a special dive that still creates a regular sonic boom, however when the sound reaches land it should be heard as a quieter "thump" instead.

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While the "quiet thumps" produced by the F/A-18 present no risk of causing physical damage to people or structures, NASA has learned that elements such as atmospheric turbulence and humidity can influence how certain areas may perceive the sound. NASA will operate a number of microphone stations in the area to match up the community's response with the decibel level of each sonic thump.

The agency will be conducting community surveys to get feedback on the sound levels of the sonic booms.

NASA recruited 500 volunteer residents in Galveston to participate. If they hear the thumps, they will define the level at which they were able to perceive the sound.

"Galveston is both honored and excited to be part of this project," Galveston Mayor James Yarbrough said in a written statement. "This is the type of project that motivates engineers and innovators"

The data will be used to help NASA better understand successful data-collection methods for future flights using an experimental aircraft called the X-59 Quiet Supersonic Technology, or QueSST, demonstrator. Starting in 2022, the X-59 will fly directly over yet-to-be-selected communities to collect data using lessons learned from QSF18.

The "quiet thumps" produced by the F/A-18 present no risk of causing physical damage to people or structures.

A handful of Galveston residents posted on Facebook about the sonic booms on the first day of testing.

"I heard the 'quiet thump' this morning," wrote Jeff Daniels underneath a Facebook post from the City of Galveston about the sonic boom testing. "It's definitely much better than a traditional sonic boom but I wouldn't want to listen to it all the time such as regular commercial air flights. It still rattles the windows."

Jerry Baker, another commenter on the same Facebook post, wrote, "I just heard LOUD boom. East end, near beach. Windows lightly rattled in this old house."

Want to know more? Individuals can report information and feedback about the booms by calling the NASA hotline at 281-483-5111. They can learn more about the program by visiting the information booth at McGuire Dent Recreation Center at 28th Street and Seawall Boulevard in Galveston.

Staff writer Alex Stuckey contributed to this report.

Nick Powell covers Galveston County for the Chronicle. Follow him on Twitter and send him tips at nick.powell@chron.com

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