Old 06-20-2020, 11:49 AM
  #12  
Elevation
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Joined APC: Jul 2017
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Originally Posted by Barnstormer View Post
Max Q is probably the most import factor.
The max q condition is the point when an aerospace vehicle's atmospheric flight reaches maximum dynamic pressure. This is a significant factor in the design of such vehicles because the aerodynamic structural load on them is proportional to dynamic pressure. This may impose limits on the vehicle's flight envelope.
To add on what this person said you'll hear them say when the vehicle is supersonic and when they reach max q (max dynamic pressure). Mach number is important until you hear them say "Vehicle is supersonic." and sort of important until you hear "Max Q". The mach effects vary gradually and abruptly. Abruptly because a large drag rise and stability change happens as you cross the speed of sound. There's more about shockwave propagation and reflection which I typed about below, but that's me self-satisfying my inner nerd. So I deleted it. The gradual variation from there has to do with the gradual way the atmosphere thins out with altitude.

Last edited by Elevation; 06-20-2020 at 12:02 PM.
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