How tiny water droplets cause damage to supersonic aircraft

How tiny water droplets cause damage to supersonic aircraft

A team of Boston University (BU) researchers led by Associate Professor Sheryl Grace is studying how minuscule water droplets inflict catastrophic damage on high-speed spacecraft and supersonic vehicles. Spacecraft built by companies like SpaceX and NASA are constructed from durable alloys. But atmospheric water droplets hitting at supersonic speeds can strike with bullet-like force and damage the metal.  The team notes that higher speeds increa…