The report concerns the results of an investigation into the cause of failure of DRTE rocket BB II-50. During flight, the rocket developed a diverging angle of attack which caused the nose tip and fins to break off. This, together with a reduction of the trajectory angle, prevented the vehicle from reaching a useful altitude. With the help of wind tunnel tests, it is shown that the divergent angle of attack is caused by effects of vehicle asymmetries and non-linear aerodynamic moments. Roll magnitude, roll direction, and other aerodynamic moments are included in the following analysis of stability. The analysis provides a probable explanation for other flight failures of fin stabilized vehicles. The conclusions provide general guide lines for the design of future rocket payloads to ensure stable flight. (Author)
Non-Linear Dynamic Instability of Black Brant Single Stage Rockets
1968
9 pages
Report
No indication
English
Engineering Index Backfile | 1965
Black Brant X third stage dispersion dynamics
NTRS | 1982
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