TITLE: "Max-Q" A NASA term for the point of maximum dynamic
pressure on a vehicle - usually during launch. From the
Aerospaceweb.org
web page:
As the Shuttle ascends during launch, it accelerates
quickly. Since the dynamic pressure, q, is dependent on
the square of the speed, it must be increasing rapidly
as well. Like any vehicle, the structure of the Shuttle
can only withstand a certain level of dynamic pressure
before it suffers damage.
We will call this damaging value of q the "critical
q." Before the "critical q" is reached, the engines
of the Shuttle are throttled down to about 65%. Now,
while the Shuttle is climbing, not only is the velocity
increasing, but the air density is decreasing. So, at
some point about one minute after launch and at an altitude
of about 35,000 feet, conditions are such that the dynamic
pressure has reached "maximum q."
After this point, the density begins to drop rapidly
enough so that the Shuttle can be throttled to full
power without fear of structural damage.
Extra Credit: Here is the formula for Bernoulli's Equation
which defines a value for Q.
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