Drag Fins On Model Rockets
School Name
Center for Advanced Technical Studies
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Engineering
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
Our project involves developing altitude management systems such as drag fins and tube fins to reach a predetermined altitude in a specific time frame. We will then transfer over to a larger scaled rocket which will be used to compete in qualification flights for The American Rocketry Challenge on the 3rd of April 2023. We started creating our rocket by using openrocket to simulate the effects of potential altitude management systems on a rocket. Once we had identified potential designs that would achieve 250 ft we began to model a prototype in onshape. We then assembled our rocket using Estes model rocket parts and laser-cutting our elliptical fins using our balsa wood. We then began to test our prototype on a nearby field. For our prototype, our main altitude system was drag fins. Our drag fins consist of using side-mounted applicable fins and drag fins with nylon screws and nuts attached to them to make them adjustable. The adjustable fin would be tie wrapped to the elliptical fin. When we flare out the drag fins to X amount of turns, X amount of altitude change would happen. We conducted a total of 13 test flights and found a positive correlation between altitude and the incline of the drag fins. We plan to test placing those fins in different orientations and test what effects they would have.
Recommended Citation
Wu, Jason; Rogers, Ian; and Zheng, Ryan, "Drag Fins On Model Rockets" (2023). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 56.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2023/all/56
Location
BS 302
Start Date
3-25-2023 10:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
Yes
Drag Fins On Model Rockets
BS 302
Our project involves developing altitude management systems such as drag fins and tube fins to reach a predetermined altitude in a specific time frame. We will then transfer over to a larger scaled rocket which will be used to compete in qualification flights for The American Rocketry Challenge on the 3rd of April 2023. We started creating our rocket by using openrocket to simulate the effects of potential altitude management systems on a rocket. Once we had identified potential designs that would achieve 250 ft we began to model a prototype in onshape. We then assembled our rocket using Estes model rocket parts and laser-cutting our elliptical fins using our balsa wood. We then began to test our prototype on a nearby field. For our prototype, our main altitude system was drag fins. Our drag fins consist of using side-mounted applicable fins and drag fins with nylon screws and nuts attached to them to make them adjustable. The adjustable fin would be tie wrapped to the elliptical fin. When we flare out the drag fins to X amount of turns, X amount of altitude change would happen. We conducted a total of 13 test flights and found a positive correlation between altitude and the incline of the drag fins. We plan to test placing those fins in different orientations and test what effects they would have.
