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Soaring High with Rockets: How Fin Length Affects a Rocket's Maximum Altitude

CSEF · 2018 Aerodynamics/ Hydrodynamics (Junior Division Only)

Brady C. Fendt · McPherson Magnet School, Orange, Orange County

Overview

Objectives/Goals My objective for this project is to determine how a rocket's fin length affects its altitude. Methods/Materials Balsa wood, model rocket kit, c6-5 motors, epoxy resin, altimeter, launch pad. Launched rocket 3 times for each fin configuration and recorded the altitude reached. Results The shortest fin configuration yielded the highest mean altitude, but only by one foot over the medium fin configuration. the medium fin configuration yielded the two highest flights of the experiment, but one low outlier brought down the average. Conclusions/Discussion In conclusion, the shortest fin configuration yielded the highest average flight, but only by 1 foot over the middle fin configuration. The middle wingspan may have been the best had the 1st launch not curved at ignition (lost a fin) causing an outlier in data. The longest fin configuration was clearly the worst performer, averaging roughly 70ft lower than the short fin configuration.

Summary statement

Through the process of launching the rocket, I determined that fin length definitely affects flight; shorter fins equals higher altitude reached.

Help received

I received help while building, launching, and fixing the rocket, building my project board, and help from my science teacher on any questions I needed answered.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2018 Aerodynamics/ Hydrodynamics (Junior Division Only) · Entry J0108

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Source: California Science & Engineering Fair public projects

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