In this report, we provide some examples of French, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese launch vehicles that have utilized fins in their designs. Next, the aerodynamic design of the fins is considered in Section 3. Some comments on basic static stability and control theory are followed by a brief description of an aerodynamic characteristics prediction code that was used to estimate the characteristics of a modified NLS 1.5 Stage vehicle. Alternative fin designs are proposed and some estimated aerodynamic characteristics presented and discussed. Also included in Section 3 is a discussion of possible methods of enhancement of the aerodynamic efficiency of fins, such as vortex generators and jet flaps. We consider the construction of fins for launch vehicles in Section 4 and offer an assessment of the state-of-the-art in the use of composites for aerodynamic control surfaces on high speed vehicles. We also comment on the use of smart materials for launch vehicle fins. The dynamic stability and control of a launch vehicle that utilizes both thrust vector control (engine nozzle gimballing) and movable fins is the subject addressed in Section 5. We give a short derivation of equations of motion for a launch vehicle moving in a vertical plane above a spherical earth, discuss the use of a gravity-turn nominal trajectory, and give the form of the period equations linearized about such a nominal. We then consider feedback control of vehicle attitude using both engine gimballing and fin deflection. Conclusions are stated and recommendations made in Section 6. An appendix contains aerodynamic data in tabular and graphical formats.
Aerodynamic Flight Control to Increase Payload Capability of Future Launch Vehicles
1993
88 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Unmanned Spacecraft , Spacecraft Trajectories & Flight Mechanics , Aerodynamics , Aerodynamic characteristics , Dynamic control , Dynamic stability , Flight control , Launch vehicles , National launch vehicle program , Control surfaces , Control theory , Fins , Aerodynamic coefficients , Applications programs (Computers) , Ascent trajectories , Composite structures , Construction , Equations of motion , Feedback control , Smart structures , Thrust vector control , Vortex generators
Payload Requirements Data File for Future Launch Vehicles
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1993
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