A substantially trapezoidal dorsal fin is mounted on the centerline of the forebody of an aircraft. To obtain the desired dorsal fin, an airfoil with a high thickness-to-chord ratio is cut near the maximum thickness station thereof. The dorsal fin is attached to the aircraft by a device, such as a trunnion, which allows the dorsal fin to pivot about the attachment point. The dorsal fin is actively controlled and, in the deflected states thereof, applies a side force to the forebody of the aircraft, altering the flight direction. The novelty of this invention resides in the forward location of the dorsal fin which provides improved lateral directional control for an aircraft, especially an Earth-to-orbit transport.


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    Title :

    Dorsal Fin for Earth-to-Orbit Transports


    Contributors:

    Publication date :

    1987


    Size :

    9 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




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