NASA has captured the first-ever photos showing the shockwaves of supersonic jets interacting in flight. To create the groundbreaking photos, NASA outfitted a B-200 twin-turboprop research aircraft with a new imaging system (capable of 1,400 frames per second for up to 3 seconds) and flew it at around 30,000 feet. A pair of Northrop T-38 Talon supersonic jets were then flown at supersonic speeds at a lower altitude.
NASA will be using this same system to test a new supersonic airplane that will be capable of flying without producing loud sonic booms — it’s an aircraft that could pave the way for government restrictions to be lifted on supersonic flights over land.