U.S. Researchers Develop Laser-Based Method to Measure Hypersonic Airflow

Researchers in the United States have developed or are using a laser-based method to measure airflow under hypersonic conditions. The method may improve measurements of extreme airflow around spacecraft.

Key details

• The technique uses lasers to measure hypersonic airflow.
• Researchers describe a potential improvement in measuring extreme airflow around spacecraft.
• No performance figures accompany the description.

The technique uses lasers to measure airflow under hypersonic conditions.

Why it matters

More precise airflow measurements could help researchers study the conditions spacecraft encounter at hypersonic speeds. The technique focuses on measuring the flow around the vehicle.