Ever wondered how a jet engine on a supersonic aircraft can breathe at both takeoff and at three times the speed of sound? This diagram reveals the complex dance of moving parts inside a variable geometry inlet—like those used on the legendary SR-71 Blackbird—to keep airflow to the engine just right at every speed. At low speeds (Mach 0–0.5), suck-in doors and tertiary doors open wide to feed the engine plenty of air. As speed increases, the system gradually closes these openings, using forward bypass doors and centrebody bleeds to manage airflow and prevent compressor stalls. Past Mach 1.5, the inlet spike starts retracting, creating controlled shockwaves to slow the air before it enters the engine—because jet turbines can’t handle supersonic airflow directly. By Mach 3.2, every door and bleed is precisely positioned, the spike is fully retracted, and the engine runs in a delicate balance of pressure, temperature, and airflow. This engineering ballet lets a high-speed aircraft cruise faster than a rifle bullet without melting its engines. 🔥 At Mach 3, every millisecond and millimeter matters. #SupersonicEngineering #JetEngines #SR71 #AviationTech #Mach3