09-14-2010, 12:16 PM
[quote name='Arun_S' date='11 September 2010 - 11:37 PM' timestamp='1284276564' post='108260']
Mach number is in the same rather limited range of 5-8 M for which engine is optimized for thrusting phase; at 100 km there is no useful air density for lift or engine.
[/quote]
An example is SpaceShipOne which glides down from such a high altitude avoiding extreme thermal loads by taking its time and its speed is mentioned as Mach 3 from Wiki
Mach number is in the same rather limited range of 5-8 M for which engine is optimized for thrusting phase; at 100 km there is no useful air density for lift or engine.
[/quote]
An example is SpaceShipOne which glides down from such a high altitude avoiding extreme thermal loads by taking its time and its speed is mentioned as Mach 3 from Wiki