noun
- Plural of aeropause; the boundary region between the atmosphere and space, or the altitude at which atmospheric density becomes too low to support aerodynamic flight.
Usage: technical; aerospace
Examples
- The aeropause marks the theoretical limit where conventional aircraft can no longer generate lift.
- Scientists study the aeropauses of different planets to understand their atmospheric compositions.
- As altitude increases toward the aeropause, air density decreases exponentially.
- The aeropause is not a sharply defined line but rather a gradual transition zone.
- Spacecraft must account for the aeropause when planning reentry trajectories.