Hey @TelegraphNews the correct answer to your poll is "none of the above" because hypersonic speed isn't defined by Mach number, it's about changes in flow chemistry, heating, thin shock/entropy layers, etc.
@TelegraphNews One of my favorite graphics summarizing what truly defines hypersonic flow, from J. Anderson's "Hypersonic and high-temperature gas dynamics"
Hypersonics is definitely having a moment as part of the zeitgeist (seems to happen once or twice a year), but for everyone reporting on this stuff I wish the opening chapter to the Anderson hypersonic text were required reading

It's not too technical and is so informative
For starters, maybe people would learn that the first hypersonic flight was the Bumper rocket in 1949
Plus, you get historical context for a variety of hypersonic vehicle concepts of yore (I see you Dynasoar!)
And circling back to the misinformed @TelegraphNews poll, you get your answer to the question "What is hypersonic flow?"

Answer: it depends, but you shouldn't just rely on Mach number
@TelegraphNews So, all you technical writers out there that are writing articles on hypersonics this week: do yourself a favor and buy a copy of Anderson's seminal hypersonic text from @aiaa arc.aiaa.org/doi/book/10.25…
I'm relieved to see that the responses to the poll are echoing the sentiments of Phil Roe

(sorry I begrudgingly picked M5 just to see the results)

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More from @DrChrisCombs

Feb 5
Take that CFD nerds Image
From the Anderson hypersonics book Image
Read 4 tweets
Dec 14, 2023
So, if I understand correctly, it sounds like GE has successfully tested a turbine-based combined-cycle engine that incorporates: 1) gas turbine; 2) rotating detonation engine; 3) ramjet; 4) scramjet 🤯

Could in theory go from 0 to Mach 10+

Demo at full scale planned for 2024 Image
GE press release:

Some earlier reporting on the concept: geaerospace.com/press-release/…
aviationweek.com/shownews/paris…
Here's my explainer thread on turbine-based combined-cycle (TBCC) engines
Read 7 tweets
Nov 11, 2023
As we approach what may be a historic Starship flight test, this Reuters report is really, really bad

No excuses: as arguably the number one launch provider *in the world* the safety culture at SpaceX has to be better. They should be setting the standard (in a good way)

If we are going to continue giving them billions annually in taxpayer dollars, they can’t keep treating workers like disposable meat puppets


Image
And yes before you ask these numbers are much worse than industry averages Image
This is an absolutely total systematic failure that goes beyond SpaceX—NASA has some explaining to do about how they allowed SpaceX to operate in their own backyard allowing a > 20% injury rate Image
Read 4 tweets
Jul 10, 2023
If you're ever frustrated by someone with a PhD acting like a know-it-all outside their niche field of study, just remember that Albert Einstein tried to design an airfoil but it performed so poorly during testing it's flight characteristics were compared to a "pregnant duck"
HT to @milan_tomicc for reminding me of this the other day
For a bit more technical insight, bottom line is that Einstein designed this entirely using Bernoulli theory.

Stall at 12deg AoA @ 92 L/D

He later confessed he was "ashamed" and "this is what can happen to a man that thinks a lot but reads little"

Read 4 tweets
Apr 21, 2023
Am I being unreasonable in thinking that "clearing the launch pad" (that everyone knew would be destroyed) is a bit of a low bar for arguably the most successful launch company *ever*?

Sorry for having higher expectations for SpaceX?

The whole thing feels half-baked and rushed
I really want SpaceX to do well

We NEED SpaceX to do well

SpaceX has a great track record of success

There are tons of insanely smart, hard-working, talented people there

NASA needs Starship to put boots on the moon

So I expect more than what we got yesterday
When some brand new startup or a university rocket club sends their rocket into a death spiral at T+4min we all pat them on the back and say "space is hard" and "you'll figure it out"

I hold SpaceX (and NASA) to a much higher standard. SpaceX is better than this. It wasn't ready
Read 5 tweets
Mar 11, 2023
WE DID IT!!!

MOO-K SEVEN

HEIFERSONIC
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE LEARNED BUT I'M EXCITED
Some quick notes about this images: first, this is from a technique called schlieren imaging and what you are seeing are density gradients in the flow. helps to visualize shock waves, expansion fans, etc.
Read 6 tweets

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