TRANSACTIONS OF THE JAPAN SOCIETY FOR AERONAUTICAL AND SPACE SCIENCES, AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGY JAPAN
Online ISSN : 1884-0485
ISSN-L : 1884-0485
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Numerical Study on Aerodynamic Characteristics of Slender-bodied Reusable Rockets Using Fins and Vortex Flaps at Very High Angles of Attack
Yuya TAKAGITakuya AOGAKIKeiichi KITAMURASatoshi NONAKA
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2020 Volume 18 Issue 4 Pages 149-158

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Abstract

Conventional rockets are faced with several problems such as high launching cost. Therefore, in Japan, a reusable vertical-takeoff-and-vertical-landing (VTVL) rocket vehicle is being developed. This vehicle utilizes nose entry as the return flight system including the attitude change (turnover) due to aerodynamic forces. To safely achieve turnover, it is necessary to reduce the difference between the maximum value and minimum value of Cm (i.e., pitching-moment coefficient). In this study, a delta-wing with vortex flaps (developed for the aircraft industry) is attached to the aft of the vehicle with the expectation of improving the Cm characteristics during the turnover process. Consequently, when the flap deflection angle is 0°, the nose-up Cm can be reduced at forward angles (i.e., AOA 0° - 90°) because vortices generated by the fins result in a nose-down Cm and cancel the nose-up Cm. Moreover, when the flap deflection angle is -30°, the nose-down Cm is enhanced at the backward angles (i.e., AOA 90° - 180°) because the flaps reduce the vortices generated by fins. Hence, setting the flap deflection angle at 0° for the forward angles and -30° for the backward angles reduced the difference between the maximum and minimum values of Cm (i.e., 12% smaller than a conventional model).

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© 2020 The Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences
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