Aerodynamic Characteristics of Water Rocket and Stabilization of Flight Trajectory

Abstract

The aerodynamic characteristics of water rockets are analyzed experimentally by wind tunnel testing. Aerodynamic devices such as vortex generators and dimples are tested and their effectiveness to the flight performance of water rocket is discussed. Attaching vortex generators suppresses the unsteady body fluttering. Dimpling the nose reduces the drag coefficient in high angles of attack. Robust design approach is applied to water rocket design for flight stability and optimum water rocket configuration is determined. Semi-sphere nose is found to be effective for flight stability and it is desirable for the safety of landing point. Stiffed fin attachment is required for fins to work properly as aerodynamic device and it enhances the flight stability of water rockets.

The Method for Optimum Design of Water Rocket Flight Stability Performance Conditions Using CAE with T Method and Robust Parameter Design

“…Based on the verification results, important parameters that affect the flight performance of the water rocket are extracted by a statistical optimization method (Robust Parameter Design), and the optimum flight conditions for obtaining the flight stability of the water rocket are clarified [5].…”