An experiment designed to enhance the teaching of hypersonics to undergraduate mechanical engineering students is described. A small shock tunnel is used to demonstrate principles learned in the classroom. The pressures measured on two models at hypersonic Mach numbers are compared with suitable theoretical estimates. Typical results are shown and the success and relevance of the experiment is reported. Consideration is given to the teaching of such a highly specialized subject as hypersonic aerodynamics at the undergraduate level.
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