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Fin Shape's Effect on Altitude

CSEF · 2019 Aerodynamics/ Hydrodynamics (Junior Division Only) First Award

Emily E. Bell · Actis (O.J.) Junior High School, Bakersfield, Kern County

Overview

Objectives The objective of my experiment is to explore the effects of fin shapes on the altitude a rocket achieves. Methods Rocket made with interchangeable fins/ Altimeter/Accelerometer /Launching Equipment / Fins. Launched rockets with different fin shapes and recorded the altitudes they achieved along with other statistics. Results Rockets were launched changing out the fins every time. Three trials were run to see how the rocket reacted to the different fin shapes. The fins with higher drag ended up going the highest out of all of them. Conclusions The fins with the highest drag ended up going the highest. This is because the higher drag fins helped the rocket stay in a straight path by reacting to induced drag the fastest; turning the rocket faster off of any divergence.

Summary statement

I found that fins with higher drag increase the efficiency of a rocket.

Help received

I required assistance in launching and retrieving rockets.

Awards (1)

Competition history

  • CSEF 2019 Aerodynamics/ Hydrodynamics (Junior Division Only) · Entry J0104

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