Breaking Sound Barriers: 7 Fun Facts

The sky’s the limit when it comes to surpassing the sound barrier.

Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 04:45 PM ET

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Crossing the sound barrier, also known as exceeding Mach 1, is the point at which an aircraft equals and surpasses the speed of sound. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Breaking the sound barrier, first achieved by Chuck Yeager, involves exceeding Mach 1 and generates a "sonic boom," with the term "sound barrier" referring to initial aerodynamic challenges like "Mach tuck."
Supersonic flight has evolved from military feats to include commercial passenger travel with Concorde, and individual accomplishments like Jacqueline Cochran becoming the first woman to break the sound barrier and Felix Baumgartner's free-fall.
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird holds the record as the world's fastest manned aircraft, capable of sustained speeds exceeding Mach 3.

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The quest for speed has long topped the achievement list for aviators, and breaking the sound barrier stands as one of aviation’s most awe-inspiring feats. Going back to the pioneering exploits of Chuck Yeager, supersonic flight has shaped the course of aviation history.

Crossing the sound barrier, also known as exceeding Mach 1, is the point at which an aircraft equals and surpasses the speed of sound. As an aircraft approaches the barrier, increases in drag and other effects make it difficult to continue accelerating. At sea level and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, the speed of sound is approximately 767 mph (343 meters per second).