What is hypersonic flow?
Hypersonic flows are flow fields where the fluid velocity is much larger than the velocity of propagation of small disturbances, the velocity of sound. Sänger has, in fact, used this concept to design the optimum wing and body shapes for hypersonic flight at extreme speeds.
How is hypersonic flow different from supersonic flow?
When the flow Mach number exceeds beyond 1 then flow is called as supersonic flow. As per the thumb rules, when flow speed exceeds five times the sound speed, it is treated as hypersonic flow.
What happens at hypersonic speeds?
At high 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. The only manned aircraft to fly in the low hypersonic regime were the X-15 and the Space Shuttle during re-entry.
Which is faster hypersonic or supersonic?
Generally, NASA defines “high” hypersonic as any Mach number from 10 to 25, and re-entry speeds as anything greater than Mach 25….Classification of Mach regimes.
| Regime | Supersonic | |
|---|---|---|
| Velocity | Mach No | 1.2–5 |
| mph | 921–3836 | |
| km/h | 1482–6174 | |
| m/s | 412–1715 |
How fast is hyper sonic speed?
approximately 3,800 mph
Hypersonic weapons are capable of reaching at least Mach 5, or approximately 3,800 mph. While traditional long-range missiles (e.g., ballistic missiles) can reach similar speeds, hypersonic weapons can also fly at different altitudes and trajectories.
What is the highest Mach speed possible?
It’s Official. Guinness World Records recognized NASA’s X-43A scramjet with a new world speed record for a jet-powered aircraft – Mach 9.6, or nearly 7,000 mph. The X-43A set the new mark and broke its own world record on its third and final flight on Nov. 16, 2004.
Why are flow characteristics important in hypersonic flight?
Although the properties of low density flow are not necessarily applicable to hypersonic flight, most hypersonic vehicles are intended to cruise at high altitudes in low density fluids. Therefore, these flow conditions are often important in waverider design.
Is the pressure gradient normal for hypersonic speed?
Since the pressure gradient normal to the flow within a boundary layer is approximately zero for low to moderate hypersonic Mach numbers, the increase of temperature through the boundary layer coincides with a decrease in density.
What are the properties of a hypersonic waverider?
Knowing that a waverider is generally intended to travel at hypersonic speeds, we can consider in greater detail the behaviors and properties of hypersonic flows. Students of aerodynamics know that when a supersonic flow passes over a wedge, a shock wave will form at the point of the wedge.
How does hypersonic flow field affect a reentry vehicle?
The hypersonic flow field around a reentry vehicle has a significant influence on the ground-vehicle communication as well as on the detection and recognition of the reentry vehicle.