When the spacecraft flies much faster than the sound speed (~1200 km/h), the airflow disturbances deflected forward from the spacecraft cannot get away from the spacecraft and form a shock wave in front of it. Shock w...
Shock wave is a detriment in the development of supersonic aircrafts;it increases flow drag as well as surface heating from additional friction;it also initiates sonic boom on the ground which precludes supersonic jet...