Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences (한국항공우주학회지)

The Korean Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences (한국항공우주학회)
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Aerodynamic Characteristics of the Grid Fins on SpaceX Falcon 9

SpaceX Falcon 9 그리드핀의 공력 특성

  • Lee, HyeongJin (Dept of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School, Korea Aerospace University) ;
  • Cho, WooSung (Dept of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Graduate School, Korea Aerospace University) ;
  • Ko, SangHo (School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University) ;
  • Lee, Yeol (School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Korea Aerospace University)
  • Received : 2020.06.06
  • Accepted : 2020.09.14
  • Published : 2020.10.01
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Abstract

A numerical study was carried out to evaluate the aerodynamic characteristics of the supersonic grid fins installed on SpaceX Falcon 9. The unit-grid-fin concept was utilized for more efficient and simpler 3-D steady flow calculations. Pre- and post-correction processes that accounted the interference effects by the angle of attack of the missile, the influences of the outer frame of the grid fin and the connecting rods were improved in the study, and it was demonstrated that the present correction method was more accurate as compared to previous studies. Finally, the present approach was applied to evaluate the aerodynamic characteristics in transonic/supersonic flights of SpaceX Falcon 9 with various angle of attacks.

SpaceX Falcon 9에 탑재된 초음속 그리드핀 유동에 관한 수치해석을 통하여 해당 그리드핀의 공력특성을 평가하였다. 3차원 정상 수치해석 계산의 효율성 향상을 위하여 단위 그리드핀 개념을 도입하였다. 본 연구에서는 발사체의 받음각, 외부 프레임, 그리고 커넥팅 로드 등의 영향성을 보정하는 전후 처리과정을 개선하였고, 이에 따라 최종 공력계산의 정확도가 과거 연구에 비하여 향상되었음을 확인하였다. 이후 천음속과 초음속 비행조건에서 다양한 받음각을 갖는 SpaceX Falcon 9 그리드핀의 공력특성을 평가하였다.

Keywords

References

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