A groundbreaking image released by NASA and Boom Supersonic captures the exact moment when the XB-1 demonstrator aircraft shattered the sound barrier, making the invisible visible.

The photograph, taken on February 10 over the Mojave Desert, marks a milestone in the race to bring back supersonic commercial flight—without the deafening sonic boom that grounded its predecessors.

A supersonic breakthrough

The XB-1, known as “Baby Boom,” is the first civilian supersonic aircraft built in America since the legendary Concorde. The jet, designed as a testbed for future commercial supersonic travel, hit speeds of Mach 1.18 (772 mph) during its 13th test flight.

Using Schlieren photography, a technique developed to capture air distortions, NASA’s ground-based telescopes immortalized the aircraft slicing through the air at hypersonic velocity.

Boom Supersonic’s CEO Blake Scholl summed up the significance of the moment: “This image makes the invisible visible.” The photograph reveals the intricate shock waves generated as the aircraft surpasses Mach 1, offering invaluable data for engineers developing the next generation of high-speed travel.

The return of commercial supersonic flight?

For decades, supersonic air travel has been a dream riddled with challenges—fuel efficiency, environmental concerns, and, most notably, the sonic boom.

The XB-1’s flight data suggests that, under specific atmospheric conditions, its sonic boom refracts in the upper atmosphere, preventing it from reaching the ground.

This finding could be the key to reintroducing supersonic passenger jets over land, a feat previously restricted due to noise pollution regulations.

Boom Supersonic’s ultimate goal? The launch of Overture, a commercial supersonic aircraft capable of flying at Mach 1.7 (about twice the speed of conventional airliners).

Major airlines, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines, have already lined up for 130 orders and pre-orders.

Lessons from Concorde and the future of high-speed travel

The last commercial supersonic aircraft, Concorde, was a marvel of engineering but plagued by high operational costs, limited routes, and deafening sonic booms.

The XB-1 and its successor, Overture, aim to overcome these obstacles with cutting-edge digital aerodynamics, carbon fiber composites, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Unlike Concorde’s iconic droop nose, which helped pilots see the runway, Boom’s jets will use an augmented reality vision system—a modern twist on classic supersonic design. Scholl envisions a world where flights across continents take just a few hours and cost as little as $100 per ticket.

A race against time

Boom Supersonic isn’t alone in the quest for high-speed air travel. NASA’s X-59, Lockheed Martin, and other aerospace giants are also investing heavily in low-boom supersonic technology. The question is no longer if supersonic travel will return, but when—and who will lead the way.

With Boom Supersonic’s Overture Superfactory now operational in North Carolina, the dream of commercial supersonic flight could become reality by the end of the decade.

The era of ultra-fast, transcontinental travel is no longer science fiction—it’s happening now, and NASA just captured a glimpse of it in action.