The study of how gases interact with moving bodies, such as aircraft wings.
Example: Engineers use wind tunnels to test the aerodynamics of a new fighter jet profile.
en: aérodynamique
aileron
noun
A hinged flight control surface on the wing that controls the aircraft's roll (banking).
Example: The pilot deflected the aileron to roll the aircraft to the left.
en: aileron
avionics
noun
The electronic systems used on aircraft, satellites, and spacecraft (e.g., navigation, communications).
Example: Modern commercial aircraft rely heavily on advanced avionics for autonomous navigation.
en: avionique
boundary layer
noun
The thin layer of fluid or air molecules directly adjacent to the surface of an aircraft wing.
Example: The friction within the boundary layer accounts for a significant portion of aerodynamic drag.
en: couche limite
drag
noun
The aerodynamic force that opposes an aircraft's motion through the air.
Example: A sleek fuselage shape helps minimize aerodynamic drag and save fuel.
en: traînée
engineering
noun
Engineering is the practical application of science and mathematics to design, build, and improve structures, machines, systems, and processes that solve human problems.
en: l'ingénierie
fuselage
noun
The main central body of an aircraft that holds the crew, passengers, or cargo.
Example: The fuselage must withstand extreme pressure changes during high-altitude flights.
en: fuselage
lift
noun
The upward aerodynamic force generated by the wings that overcomes the aircraft's weight.
Example: The wings must generate enough lift to overcome the total weight of the aircraft.
en: portance
mach number
noun phrase
The ratio of the speed of an object to the speed of sound in the surrounding medium.
Example: The supersonic aircraft exceeded a Mach number of 2.0 during its test flight.
en: nombre de mach
payload
noun
The carrying capacity of an aircraft or spacecraft, including passengers, cargo, or scientific instruments.
Example: The supersonic aircraft exceeded a Mach number of 2.0 during its test flight.
en: charge utile
propulsion
noun
The mechanism or engine (e.g., turbojet, rocket) that generates thrust to move a vehicle forward.
Example: Ion propulsion systems provide low thrust but high efficiency for deep-space missions.
en: propulsion
rudder
A vertical control surface attached to the tail used to steer and control yaw (side-to-side movement).
Example: The pilot pushed the left pedal to deflect the rudder and counter the crosswind.
en: gouverne de direction
telemetry
noun
Example: Ground control monitored real-time telemetry data transmitted by the spacecraft.
en: télémesure
thrust
noun
The forward force produced by the propulsion system to overcome aerodynamic drag.
Example: Jet engines generate massive thrust by accelerating hot exhaust gases backward.
en: poussée
trajectory
noun
The curved flight path that an aircraft, rocket, or missile follows through space or the atmosphere.
Example: Computers calculated the optimal trajectory to send the probe to Mars.
