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RDF Terms

Hypersonic Aerodynamics is a special branch of the study of aeronautics. The chief characteristic of hypersonic aerodynamics is that the temperature of the flow around the aircraft is so great that the chemistry of the gas must be considered. At low hypersonic speeds, the molecular bonds vibrate, which changes the magnitude of the forces generated by the air on the aircraft. At higher hypersonic speeds, the molecules break apart producing an electrically charged plasma around the aircraft. Large variations in air density and pressure occur because of shock waves, and expansions. Hypersonic aircraft typically have very thick boundary layers along the surface and high heat transfer to the surface. All of these high speed flow phenomena lead to a vehicle design unlike the typical airliner or fighter aircraft.