We speak of hypersonic flight when we approach or exceed Mach 5. At this speed, the heat is such that the ionized air forms a plasma around the vehicle. To put it simply, you're flying in the middle of a white hot blowtorch.
This dramatically alters flight characteristics. Some prototypes approach or exceed mach 20. At this speed you're closer to a meteorite burning up in the atmosphere than to any form of aircraft.
We speak of hypersonic flight when we approach or exceed Mach 5. At this speed, the heat is such that the ionized air forms a plasma around the vehicle. To put it simply, you're flying in the middle of a white hot blowtorch.
This dramatically alters flight characteristics. Some prototypes approach or exceed mach 20. At this speed you're closer to a meteorite burning up in the atmosphere than to any form of aircraft.