Evaluating the Impact of Maximum Aero-Thermal Heating on a High-Speed Fixed-Wing Atmospheric Aircraft Optimum Trajectory

This study explores how extreme heating affects the flight paths of hypersonic aircraft—vehicles that travel at speeds many times faster than sound. Analyzing how to fly a high-speed aircraft without overheating it can prevent structural failure while operating at maximum possible performance. The results shown in this section indicate that it is possible to operate at very high speeds in an aircraft while keeping peak vehicle temperature below our limits while saving fuel.