You spin stabilize for accuracy. Of course you don't go as far but at least you are on track.I know that, by design, the Terrier-Improved Orion is spin-stabilized; I recently saw a video of one launched from Wallops, and, especially after staging, it was very visible. (Can't find the stupid video, now).
Of course, this, for me, raises a different question: it seems that, aerodynamically, you want the rocket to move as "straight" (for lack of a better word) as possible. Every event that causes the fins to "direct" the air, rather than move smoothly through it, is going to induce more drag. So, the question: why spin stabilize? I know that it's been used extensively in "real life" (Honest John is another one that comes immediately to mind), but I'm trying to understand why...
Anyone with a better understanding of the aerodynamics than I have able to explain?
Estes used to make a lot of older kits, like the Apogee II and Camroc Carrier, that had the booster fins canted for spin, and no cant or spin on the upper stage. Why was this design practice discontinued?Estes makes a few models that spin on the way up.
https://estesrockets.com/product/007258-space-twister/
https://estesrockets.com/product/003233-blenders/
https://estesrockets.com/product/007241-quinstar/
John Boren
Estes used to make a lot of older kits, like the Apogee II and Camroc Carrier, that had the booster fins canted for spin, and no cant or spin on the upper stage. Why was this design practice discontinued?
Alan
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