High-Speed Friction

When anything flies through air very fast, it heats up due to the increased fric­tion with the air. The higher the speed, the higher the temperature climbs. Concorde cruised at a speed of 1,345 miles per hour (2,160 kilometers per hour), or Mach 2.04. At this speed, its body and wings heated up to more than 195°F (91°C). The tip of its nose reached 260°F (127°C)-hotter than boiling water. Planes designed to fly faster than this must be made from materials that can withstand such high temperatures.

The Space Shuttle returns from space at a speed of about Mach 25. As it descends into the atmosphere, it heats up. The hottest parts of the spacecraft are the nose and the leading edges of the wings, which reach 2,750°F (1,510°C). Heat-resistant tiles and other materials are vital to protecting the Space Shuttle’s aluminum structure.