Part 3/6:
Unlike traditional strategies that rely on new materials or noise-canceling technologies, the X-59 project aims to address the sonic boom problem through aeronautical design. The core principle is surprisingly simple: change the shape of the aircraft itself to minimize the intensity and reach of shock waves.
When an aircraft moves through the air, it creates pressure waves similar to ripples in a pond. By carefully designing the aircraft's shape, these pressure waves can be manipulated so that they do not merge into a concentrated shock wave that produces a loud boom. Instead, the waves are spread out or softened, significantly reducing the boom's intensity and frequency.