Basic Forces
Flow Regimes
Flight
Types of Drag
Drag Reduction Strategies
100
  • Forward propulsive force from the engine

Thrust

100

(M < 0.8): Normal air compression

Subsonic

100

Study of air motion and its interaction with solid objects

Aerodynamics

100
  • Form Drag: Resistance caused by the rocket's shape
  • Skin Friction Drag: Friction between the rocket's surface and air molecules
  • Interference Drag: Drag created by airflow disruption at intersections of rocket components

Parasitic Drag

100
  1. Drag Reduction Strategies
    • Pointed nose cone
    • Smooth, tapered body
    • Minimized external components

Aerodynamic Shaping

200

Air resistance opposing motion

Drag

200
  • (0.8 < M < 1.2): Mixed flow, challenging aerodynamics

Transonic

200
  • Angle between wing's chord line and airflow direction

Angle of Attack

200
  • Occurs when a rocket approaches and exceeds the speed of sound
  • Caused by shock waves and pressure differences
  • Most significant during transonic and supersonic flight

Wave Drag

200

Drag Reduction Strategies


  • Polished surfaces
  • Special coatings
  • Reduced surface roughness

Surface Treatment

300

Gravitational force

Weight

300

(1.2 < M < 5): Shock waves form

Supersonic

300
  • Airfoil shape deflects air downward, creating upward force

Wing Lift Generation

300
  • Related to lift generation
  • More relevant for aircraft, less critical for rockets
  • Minor factor in rocket trajectory

Induced Drag

300
  1. Drag Reduction Strategies
    • Minimizing time in dense atmosphere
    • Optimal launch trajectory
    • Rapid acceleration

Flight Path Optimization

400

Generated by body/fins during non-vertical flight

Lift

400

(M > 5): High heating, dissociated air

Hypersonic

400
  • Crucial in aviation, automotive design, architecture, and sports

Importance of Aerodynamics 

400

What are: 

  1. Aerodynamic Shaping
  2. Surface Treatment
  3. Flight Path Optimization

Drag Reduction Strategies

400

Rocket Design

  • Streamlined shape
  • Smooth surface
  • Minimized protrusions
  • Aerodynamic fairings

Environmental Factors

  • Atmospheric density
  • Altitude
  • Temperature
  • Wind conditions

Factors Affecting Rocket Drag

500

What are: 

  • Wind tunnel testing
  • Computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
  • Flight data analysis
  • Scale model experiments

Measurement and Analysis

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