Original upload date: Mon, 24 Apr 2017 00:00:00 GMT
Archive date: Fri, 03 Dec 2021 15:18:46 GMT
Tuft Testing- A visualization of the local flow field.
Tufts, which are short pieces of string, are temporarily affixed in a grid like pattern around the area(s) of interest.
By adding body panels o
...
f specific shape and size we can tailor the aerodynamic characteristics of our Xodiac rocket. Using the tuft video and vehicle data we can then determine during post flight analysis how effective everything was and repeat the testing with any needed changes until we achieve the pointing targets.
The goal for us in doing this is to use aerodynamics to passively roll the vehicle to a desired angle, in the direction of flight, for a specific payload need ie. ground surveying optics or lasers. This is a low cost and technically efficient solution for when we have to repeatably fly the vehicle in a very specific orientation with respect to the ground.
Ultimately this can reduce our RCS requirements for a given trajectory allowing the RCS system to be sized for fine pointing control or in flight trimming.
The panels have a minimum velocity at which they start to be effective and below that point the vehicle behaves as if the panels were not in place.
Masten Space Systems
www.masten.aero
