Evolution of the Jet Aircraft from Subsonic to Aerospace Planes

V. M. Fomin, Yu. P. Gounko, I. I. Mazhul

The 20th century became the era of aviation and space flights. Rockets have reached space velocities (higher than 7.9 km/s), whereas the fastest planes still fly with moderate velocities almost an order of magnitude lower. Bridging this gap in velocity by hypersonic flying vehicles powered by air-breathing engines will open a new era - the era of aerospace planes. Then the flight from New York to Paris will take no more than 1 or 2 hours, which is commensurable with an everyday suburb travel. The distances between continents will become minor obstacles, and our home planet will become 'smaller.' A trip around the world in 8 hours will be tomorrow's reality!

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