• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
• /
• v.49 no.8
• /
• pp.609-615
• /
• 2021

Three-dimensional numerical study was carried out to evaluate the aerodynamic characteristics of the supersonic grid fins installed on SpaceX Falcon 9. The present three-dimensional flow results were compared to the results by the concept of the unit grid fin previously introduced for more efficient and simpler flow calculations, and the validity of the approach of the unit grid fin were evaluated. The aerodynamic characteristics in supersonic flights Mach 2.8 of SpaceX Falcon 9 with various angle of attacks were also obtained.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
• /
• v.48 no.10
• /
• pp.745-752
• /
• 2020

A numerical study was carried out to evaluate the aerodynamic characteristics of the supersonic grid fins installed on SpaceX Falcon 9. The unit-grid-fin concept was utilized for more efficient and simpler 3-D steady flow calculations. Pre- and post-correction processes that accounted the interference effects by the angle of attack of the missile, the influences of the outer frame of the grid fin and the connecting rods were improved in the study, and it was demonstrated that the present correction method was more accurate as compared to previous studies. Finally, the present approach was applied to evaluate the aerodynamic characteristics in transonic/supersonic flights of SpaceX Falcon 9 with various angle of attacks.