r/aerodynamics

Hey all!

I am currently working on making a canard controlled rocket (only the roll is controlled!) as part of a student project. I am currently working specifically on the roll control, which means the canards, and as such investigating the potential for roll reversal due to the negative aerodynamic effects of canard deflection on the tail fins (canard-tail interference for example).

The rocket we are working on would be 2.4m in length with a diameter of 16cm and flying around Mach 0.6. From my research, a rocket of this scale and speed should not be subject to roll reversal, and would most likely only suffer from a (slight?) reduction in roll control authority.

Still, I would very much like to be able to closely study the aerodynamic effects of canard based roll control, notably to be able to optimise the position and dimensions of the canards to minimise negative effects.

Therefore, I was wondering if there were any tools I could use to simulate these effects, and notably be able to calculate the total roll moment coefficient as a function of the canard deflection angle and/or dimensions, without having to resort to CFD (I would like to find a more time efficient alternative :) ). I am aware that Missile DATCOM is often used for this (it popped up a lot in my research), but I am not in the US so...

If you have any leads/recommendations for appropriate tools/software/methodology I could use, it would be highly appreciated!!

Thank you in advance

Experts please explain this phenomena using relatively easy language but mentioning critical points and formulas. I would really appreciate your explanation due to my desire of understanding how does the wing of the aircraft operate and also want to understand if it will be possible to conduct an experiment using this type of research question

I’m looking for aerodynamic CFD vids, mainly on cool or unusual objects, animals, vehicles etc aha!

Does anyone have any favourites? Or any links or suggestions where to find them!

Thanks for your help :)

I had a hour long debate yesterday with my friends on what is more aerodynamically efficient between f1 cars and fighter jets.

My opinion was that based strictly off of aerodynamics and using it to achieve the intended purpose for each vehicle (minimising drag and increasing agility for fighter jets, and creating downforce for f1 cars), f1 cars do it better.

What do you guys think?

Hello, I'm working on a low speed wind tunnel, maximum CSA of 250*250mm with total length of 1.05m, I'm trying to synchronise my idea of having variable wing angle of attack whilst measuring pressure and force like drag and lift.

The idea i researched is using load cells for force, but because my fans are 2 PC fans, the speed isn't high but I have plenty of pressure and airflow.

I also wanted to measure pressure at certain point of the wing or at least before and after the wing and found pressure sensors that you hook up a tube to and that gives pressure differential reading.

Concerns i have is that the calculations i did say that my forces are really low so much that its less than 2grams. I'm not sure on how to proceed or if its even viable.