STATIC AERODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF A TWO-STAGE AND A THREE-STAGE ROCKET VEHICLE AT MACH NUMBERS FROM 1.47 TO 4.63

Abstract

An investigation was conducted in the Langley Unitary Plan wind tunnel to determine the effects of fin cant and size on the static aerodynamic characteristics of a 0.081-scale model of a three-stage and a two-stage Trailblazer II configuration. Tests were performed at Mach numbers from 1.47 to 4.63 and at a Reynolds number per foot of 3.0 x 10 to the 6th power. he angleof-attack range varied from approximately -5 to 5 degrees and angle of sideslip varied from approximately -4 to 4 degrees. All first-stage fins tested gave adequate static stability when the center-of-gravity travel of the flight model was taken into account. The presence of the auxiliary rocket motors in the lateral plane decreased the effectiveness of the fins in the pitch plane at the lower Mach number and increased the fin effectiveness at the higher Mach numbers. Removal of the auxiliary rocket motors from the first stage of the two-stage configuration reduced the axial force about 25% at the low Mach numbers and about 15% at the high Mach numbers. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1962
Accession Number
AD0274576

Entities

People

  • Ausley B. Carraway
  • Clarence A. Jr. Brown

Organizations

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerodynamic Characteristics
  • Center Of Gravity
  • Flight
  • Gravity
  • Mach Number
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Models
  • Physical Properties
  • Reynolds Number
  • Rocket Engines
  • Rockets
  • Scale Models
  • Sideslip
  • Wind Tunnels

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerodynamics/Aeronautics.
  • Missile Defense Systems.