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Pope Leo connects with Chicagoans via video at a ballpark mass, while nationwide anti-Trump protests draw millions opposing his leadership, countered by Trump's military parade amid rising tensions.

China’s extreme heat shield breaks thermal limit on hypersonic flight

South China Morning PostSunday, June 15, 2025 at 12:00:08 PM
China’s extreme heat shield breaks thermal limit on hypersonic flight
Chinese researchers have developed a super-tough ceramic material that can handle blistering temperatures up to 3,600°C—even in oxygen-rich environments where most materials would melt or combust. This breakthrough pushes past the current thermal barriers for hypersonic flight, opening doors for faster, more durable aerospace tech, as well as applications in energy and other extreme environments.
Editor’s Note: Hypersonic travel (think missiles or next-gen jets moving at Mach 5+) has been held back by the fact that existing materials can’t take the heat—literally. If this ceramic holds up in real-world testing, it could be a game-changer not just for defense tech but also for things like scramjet engines or even space exploration. China’s racing ahead in this high-stakes tech arena, and this material might give them a serious edge.
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neutralWorld Affairs
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