scramjets
Airbreathing supersonic engines
Scramjets are jet engines designed to operate at hypersonic speeds—typically above Mach 5.
Unlike conventional jets, scramjets have no moving parts; they use the vehicle's forward motion to compress incoming air, which remains supersonic throughout the engine.
This makes them efficient at extreme speeds but unable to function from a standstill: The scramjet only ignites after a rocket booster accelerates the craft.
Faster than Mach five
- MachSonic speed ratio
- shockwavePropagating pressure disturbance
- dragResistance through fluid
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
turbulence · compression · airflow · transonic · compressibility · ablation · cowl
Forceful forward motion
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- nozzleFlow-directing pipe fitting
- inletWater extending into land
- compressionForcing into smaller space
fuel · hydrogen · afterburner · turbojet · oxidizer · ignition · kerosene · throttle
Federal space exploration bureau
- DARPADefense technology research agency
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- reentryComing back in
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
aviation · aeronautics · unmanned · military · missile · spaceplane · orbital · suborbital
Sudden important advance
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
- experimentalTesting new methods
- advancedFar along in development
revolutionary · next-generation · state-of-the-art · prototype · research · development · feasibility · proof-of-concept
hypersonic
Faster than Mach five
lift · turbulence · compression · airflow · transonic · compressibility · ablation · cowl
thrust
Forceful forward motion
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- nozzleFlow-directing pipe fitting
- inletWater extending into land
compression · fuel · hydrogen · afterburner · turbojet · oxidizer · ignition · kerosene · throttle · exhaust
NASA
Federal space exploration bureau
- DARPADefense technology research agency
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- reentryComing back in
atmosphere · aviation · aeronautics · unmanned · military · missile · spaceplane · orbital · suborbital
breakthrough
Sudden important advance
- cutting-edgeAt innovation's forefront
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
- experimentalTesting new methods
advanced · revolutionary · next-generation · state-of-the-art · prototype · research · development · feasibility · proof-of-concept · emerging
- military aviationaircraft, bombers, fighter jets, stealth, drones
scramjetsturbofans
Ducted aircraft propulsion systems
turbojets · piston engines · turboprops · ramjets · rocket engines