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1 - Basic Aerodynamics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 February 2012

Gary A. Flandro ,
Howard M. McMahon  and
Robert L. Roach
Gary A. Flandro
Affiliation:
The University of Tennessee Space Institute
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Summary

This was the last first in aviation, we had always said, a milestone, and that made it unique. Would we do it again? No one can do it again. And that is the best thing about it.

Jeana Yeager and Dick Rutan “Voyager” 1987

Introduction

Aerodynamics is the study of the flow of air around and within a moving object. Its main objective is understanding the creation of forces by the interaction of the gas motion with the surfaces of an object. Aerodynamics is closely related to hydrodynamics and gasdynamics, which represent the motion of liquid and compressible-gas flows, respectively.

Aerodynamics is the essence of flight and has been the focus of intensive research for about a century. Although this might seem to be a rather long period of development, it is really quite short considering the time span usually required for the formulation and full solution of basic scientific problems. In this relatively short time, mankind has advanced from the first gliding and primitive-powered airplane flights to interplanetary spaceflight.

Type
Chapter
Information
Basic Aerodynamics
Incompressible Flow
 , pp. 1 - 14
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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References

Anderson, John D.Fundamental AerodynamicsMcGraw-Hill Book CompanyNew York 1984Google Scholar
Crouch, Tom D.A Dream of Wings, Americans and the Airplane, 1875–1905W. W. Norton & Co.New York 1981Google Scholar
Gabrielli, G.von Kàrmàn, TWhat Price Speed?Mechanical Engineering 72 1950 775Google Scholar
Hallion, Richard P.Supersonic Flight: Breaking the Sound Barrier and BeyondThe Smithsonian Institution 1972Google Scholar
Hirsch, Robert S.Schneider Trophy RacersMotorbooks International 1993Google Scholar
Kinnert, ReedRacing Planes and Air RacesAero Publishers 1967Google Scholar
Yeager, J.Rutan, D.VoyagerAlfred A. Knopf, Inc. 1987Google Scholar

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