[AR] Re: Dynamic stability in supersonic rockets
- From: Henry Spencer <hspencer@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Arocket List <arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2022 13:31:01 -0500 (EST)
On Mon, 10 Jan 2022, Doug Jones wrote:
The amateur rocket rules (now superseded?) that require very short burn
times push designers toward high mach numbers at crazy low altitudes...
The burn-time limit is gone, fortunately, with the revised "amateur
exemption" rules instituted a decade or so ago.
As Norman pointed out, though, there's still an issue with aerodynamic
stabilization for unguided rockets -- or even guided ones relying on
aerodynamic control -- in that it's got to be fast enough for reasonable
fin effectiveness before it leaves the launch rail (or equivalent). Since
long launch rails are a major practical PITA, this pushes toward at least
an initial burst of high acceleration, and reducing the thrust later adds
complications of its own.
Henry
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