Supersonic Wave Drag

In the context of aerospace engineering, Supersonic Wave Drag, also known as wave drag, is a force experienced by an object moving in a fluid medium at speeds greater than the speed of sound in that medium. This phenomenon is particularly relevant in the design and operation of high-speed aircraft and spacecraft. When an object moves at supersonic speeds, it compresses the fluid in front of it, creating shock waves that propagate in all directions. These shock waves carry energy away from the object, which is experienced as a drag force opposing the object's motion. This drag force increases with the square of the speed, making it a significant factor in the fuel efficiency and maximum speed of supersonic aircraft. The study and mitigation of wave drag is a major aspect of supersonic and hypersonic aerodynamics. Techniques for reducing wave drag include the use of area ruling and the design of aircraft with a slender, pointed shape.
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