Überschallbereich

Überschallbereich refers to the range of speeds at which an object travels faster than the speed of sound. The speed of sound is not constant and varies depending on the medium through which it travels, primarily influenced by temperature and pressure. In dry air at 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit), the speed of sound is approximately 343 meters per second (1,125 feet per second). An object entering the Überschallbereich will experience a significant increase in aerodynamic drag and pressure. A characteristic phenomenon associated with supersonic flight is the sonic boom, which is the sound accompanying shock waves created when an object exceeds the speed of sound. Aircraft and spacecraft are designed to operate within or transition through the Überschallbereich. The study and design of vehicles for supersonic flight fall under the field of supersonic aerodynamics.