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this came up on the Scratch forum, I figured the expertise is over here.
For a single stage rocket, need enough effective fin area or base drag so the rocket achieves stable flight parameters when it reaches the velocity at the end of the rail. Many if not most rockets are continuing to accelerate after they leave the rail, but for Typical model rockets the only “guidance” forces for straight flight are the fins once they leave the rail.
For MultiStage rockets, like single stage rockets, the full STACK has to be stable when it leaves the rail. At separation it seems like many if not most multistage rockets are at a much higher velocity at staging than when they leave the rail.
So can sustainer rocket segments get by with smaller fins (less fin surface area) when flown SOLELY in multistage configuration? Figuring the fins will be much more effective since they are already at a higher velocity at staging then they would be in single stage configuration at the end of the rail.
For a single stage rocket, need enough effective fin area or base drag so the rocket achieves stable flight parameters when it reaches the velocity at the end of the rail. Many if not most rockets are continuing to accelerate after they leave the rail, but for Typical model rockets the only “guidance” forces for straight flight are the fins once they leave the rail.
For MultiStage rockets, like single stage rockets, the full STACK has to be stable when it leaves the rail. At separation it seems like many if not most multistage rockets are at a much higher velocity at staging than when they leave the rail.
So can sustainer rocket segments get by with smaller fins (less fin surface area) when flown SOLELY in multistage configuration? Figuring the fins will be much more effective since they are already at a higher velocity at staging then they would be in single stage configuration at the end of the rail.