Ashlee VanceNYT Best Seller | Reporter at Bloomberg Businessweek

Boom Breaks the Sound Barrier with New Jet #supersonictravel #aviationhistory

16 Mar 2025 · 3 min

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2:42

The video captures a live, on‑site broadcast from the Mojave Air and Space Port as Boom Supersonic’s experimental demonstrator XB‑1 exceeds Mach 1, reaching an announced Mach 1.1. Multiple commentators provide play‑by‑play excitement, celebrate the moment, and weave in historical context by referencing the Bell X‑1 “Supersonic Corridor” named after Chuck Yeager’s 1947 breakthrough. The pilot, Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, is highlighted as the first human to experience supersonic flight in the XB‑1, with remarks about his distinctive glasses. Technical commentary explains the engineering challenges of sustained supersonic flight—airframe stress, high temperatures, and the thrust required from the engines—while the broadcast maintains a festive, enthusiastic tone. The segment concludes with celebratory remarks and a nod to future milestones.

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Previously, the XB-1 has hit Mach 0.95, 5% shy of supersonic. Essentially, we all know what's going to happen today, but the flight has an extra special ceremonial detail.
History is made by this aircraft, the XS-1, and its pilot, Captain Charles E. Yeager.
The plane will enter what's called the Bell X-1 Supersonic Corridor, the airspace named after Chuck Yeager's plane when he first broke the sound barrier back in 1947. And for the nerds live streaming at home, don't worry, Boom's got you covered.
Welcome everyone, wherever you are in the world. Good morning, good afternoon, or good evening. Here we are at the Mojave Air and Space Port. Thank you so much for joining us. And we're off.
Come on, baby! We're in the air.
And she's airborne!
I just said that. Come on.
Wow, that was fantastic! Doesn't she look gorgeous?
Easy, Tiger. It's just a plane. Kenny Loggins, I can feel you. And there it is. History has been made. Cue the old-timey newsreel music.
Ashlee Vance reporting from Mojave, California. Where, boom, Supersonic has just gone supersonic, Mach 1.1.
In addition to the XB-1, there was a human who went supersonic today. His name is Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg, Boom's pilot-y looking pilot. Also, his glasses can do this.
And he just flipped them up. I didn't know they flipped up. Supersonic is certainly, it's difficult. It takes, it, You know, the stresses the airframe is under, especially at like the higher Mach numbers when you really have to start considering temperatures, like it's a hard thing to do. It also takes a lot of energy to get there. So the engines that have to develop that thrust, but we've come a really long way on all of that technology.
So like you're probably going to have to be in this group photo.
That is perfect. Thank you.
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