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-   -   Upper stage without fins (http://www.oldrocketforum.com/showthread.php?t=17299)

AHamm 06-02-2018 04:13 PM

Upper stage without fins
 
I am planning to make a 2 and mabe 3 stage rocket. Is it possible to not have fins on the upper stages? Could I angle the fins on the booster stage so that they give the rocket a spin which would help stabilize it? I know that some real rockets have no fins or only fins on the lower stage, but they use thrust vectoring and are often in thinner/no atmosphere.

ghrocketman 06-02-2018 09:43 PM

Canting the fins on the booster to induce spin would help to stabilize a finless upper stage, but I doubt it would be enough to prevent a wacky flight.
It might work for a two stager but definitely not 3.

GlenP 06-03-2018 12:25 AM

Sure, why not? Just include a transition instead of fins on the sustainer, i.e. a cone fin with base drag stabilization. Could omit the cone and just use a base-drag disc fin, much higher drag.

http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot...rt-1-parts.html


There might be an option to use a gas stabilization, sort of a variation on the theme of an Augie with the engine inside of a vented ring fin, essentially.

kevinj 06-04-2018 10:52 AM

If you have the room in the second stage, you can add flip out fins that are hidden inside the model until it stages. https://www.apogeerockets.com/educa...wsletter313.pdf

kj


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