Could a rocket use wings in the stages?
Could a slower or smaller rocket take advantage of lift if all the stages had wings?
Could the stages reduce splashdown impact forces by using a spinning seedpod-like design (as shown in the image below)?
Source: Keith Blenman blogpost
Source: SpaceX via Wikimedia, public domain
Source: xairforces.net
Source: Russian Foundation for Advanced Studies (FPI) via russianspaceweb
After what point are wings not useful on the number of rocket stages, size or weight?
rockets artificial-satellite engine-design aerodynamics stages
edited 52 secs ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
asked 5 hours ago
Muze
1,8181055
|
show 6 more comments
Could a slower or smaller rocket take advantage of lift if all the stages had wings?
Could the stages reduce splashdown impact forces by using a spinning seedpod-like design (as shown in the image below)?
Source: Keith Blenman blogpost
Source: SpaceX via Wikimedia, public domain
Source: xairforces.net
Source: Russian Foundation for Advanced Studies (FPI) via russianspaceweb
After what point are wings not useful on the number of rocket stages, size or weight?
rockets artificial-satellite engine-design aerodynamics stages
edited 52 secs ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
asked 5 hours ago
Muze
1,8181055
2
Kindly attribute all images and quotes. Thanks!
– Alex Hajnal
4 hours ago
1
X-37 is under a fairing during the atmospheric portion of ascent, getting no lift from its wings; it does a gliding reentry and landing like the space shuttle.
– Russell Borogove
4 hours ago
1
I believe that's the X-37's orbital module (propulsion, consumables, etc.). It's odd that it would have wings too; I suspect the reason for having them (like much surrounding the X-37) is classified. Also, can you please provide image citations?
– Alex Hajnal
4 hours ago
2
@AlexHajnal The X-37 is one piece, not separate modules; the forward surfaces are wings, the aft are a V-tail.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
1
@AlexHajnal et al. pics of X-37 after landing here help illustrate that the two tail fins in the back (bottom in this view) are not coplanar, but are pointing towards us, or "out of the page" in this view. (my awkward way of saying "V-tail")
– uhoh
1 hour ago
|
show 6 more comments
Could a slower or smaller rocket take advantage of lift if all the stages had wings?
Could the stages reduce splashdown impact forces by using a spinning seedpod-like design (as shown in the image below)?
Source: Keith Blenman blogpost
Source: SpaceX via Wikimedia, public domain
Source: xairforces.net
Source: Russian Foundation for Advanced Studies (FPI) via russianspaceweb
After what point are wings not useful on the number of rocket stages, size or weight?
rockets artificial-satellite engine-design aerodynamics stages
edited 52 secs ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
asked 5 hours ago
Muze
1,8181055
Could a slower or smaller rocket take advantage of lift if all the stages had wings?
Could the stages reduce splashdown impact forces by using a spinning seedpod-like design (as shown in the image below)?
Source: Keith Blenman blogpost
Source: SpaceX via Wikimedia, public domain
Source: xairforces.net
Source: Russian Foundation for Advanced Studies (FPI) via russianspaceweb
After what point are wings not useful on the number of rocket stages, size or weight?
rockets artificial-satellite engine-design aerodynamics stages
rockets artificial-satellite engine-design aerodynamics stages
edited 52 secs ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
asked 5 hours ago
Muze
1,8181055
edited 52 secs ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
asked 5 hours ago
Muze
1,8181055
edited 52 secs ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
edited 52 secs ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
edited 52 secs ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
1,066313
asked 5 hours ago
Muze
1,8181055
asked 5 hours ago
Muze
1,8181055
asked 5 hours ago
Muze
1,8181055
1,8181055
2
Kindly attribute all images and quotes. Thanks!
– Alex Hajnal
4 hours ago
1
X-37 is under a fairing during the atmospheric portion of ascent, getting no lift from its wings; it does a gliding reentry and landing like the space shuttle.
– Russell Borogove
4 hours ago
1
I believe that's the X-37's orbital module (propulsion, consumables, etc.). It's odd that it would have wings too; I suspect the reason for having them (like much surrounding the X-37) is classified. Also, can you please provide image citations?
– Alex Hajnal
4 hours ago
2
@AlexHajnal The X-37 is one piece, not separate modules; the forward surfaces are wings, the aft are a V-tail.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
1
@AlexHajnal et al. pics of X-37 after landing here help illustrate that the two tail fins in the back (bottom in this view) are not coplanar, but are pointing towards us, or "out of the page" in this view. (my awkward way of saying "V-tail")
– uhoh
1 hour ago
|
show 6 more comments
2
Kindly attribute all images and quotes. Thanks!
– Alex Hajnal
4 hours ago
1
X-37 is under a fairing during the atmospheric portion of ascent, getting no lift from its wings; it does a gliding reentry and landing like the space shuttle.
– Russell Borogove
4 hours ago
1
I believe that's the X-37's orbital module (propulsion, consumables, etc.). It's odd that it would have wings too; I suspect the reason for having them (like much surrounding the X-37) is classified. Also, can you please provide image citations?
– Alex Hajnal
4 hours ago
2
@AlexHajnal The X-37 is one piece, not separate modules; the forward surfaces are wings, the aft are a V-tail.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
1
@AlexHajnal et al. pics of X-37 after landing here help illustrate that the two tail fins in the back (bottom in this view) are not coplanar, but are pointing towards us, or "out of the page" in this view. (my awkward way of saying "V-tail")
– uhoh
1 hour ago
2
2
Kindly attribute all images and quotes. Thanks!
– Alex Hajnal
4 hours ago
Kindly attribute all images and quotes. Thanks!
– Alex Hajnal
4 hours ago
1
1
X-37 is under a fairing during the atmospheric portion of ascent, getting no lift from its wings; it does a gliding reentry and landing like the space shuttle.
– Russell Borogove
4 hours ago
X-37 is under a fairing during the atmospheric portion of ascent, getting no lift from its wings; it does a gliding reentry and landing like the space shuttle.
– Russell Borogove
4 hours ago
1
1
I believe that's the X-37's orbital module (propulsion, consumables, etc.). It's odd that it would have wings too; I suspect the reason for having them (like much surrounding the X-37) is classified. Also, can you please provide image citations?
– Alex Hajnal
4 hours ago
I believe that's the X-37's orbital module (propulsion, consumables, etc.). It's odd that it would have wings too; I suspect the reason for having them (like much surrounding the X-37) is classified. Also, can you please provide image citations?
– Alex Hajnal
4 hours ago
2
2
@AlexHajnal The X-37 is one piece, not separate modules; the forward surfaces are wings, the aft are a V-tail.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
@AlexHajnal The X-37 is one piece, not separate modules; the forward surfaces are wings, the aft are a V-tail.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
1
1
@AlexHajnal et al. pics of X-37 after landing here help illustrate that the two tail fins in the back (bottom in this view) are not coplanar, but are pointing towards us, or "out of the page" in this view. (my awkward way of saying "V-tail")
– uhoh
1 hour ago
@AlexHajnal et al. pics of X-37 after landing here help illustrate that the two tail fins in the back (bottom in this view) are not coplanar, but are pointing towards us, or "out of the page" in this view. (my awkward way of saying "V-tail")
– uhoh
1 hour ago
|
show 6 more comments
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
Could a slower or smaller rocket take advantage of lift if all the stages had wings?
Wings on the first stage can be useful; the Pegasus air-launched rocket has wings on its first stage that provide some lift.
In most cases wings aren't worth using on orbital launchers; they add drag and weight that usually isn't compensated for by lift. Wings on upper stages are very unlikely to be beneficial.
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
82k2273355
add a comment |
Though it seems noöne has spun an entire rocket stage to slow it, something has similar has been tried. The long-defunct Rotary Rocket company was developing the Roton™ reüsable single-state-to-orbit launcher that would use helicopter-like blades to slow and land. A bit more info on it can be found on Wikipedia.
Alan Radecki via Wikimedia Commons, GFDL / CC BY-SA 3.0
Not present in the photo above, the rotor blades were attached to the dome at the top and folded flush against the fuselage during ascent. After reënty, the blades would fold to a horizontal orientation and be spun up (I believe) using thrusters on the blade tips (the cap and blades would spin and the fuselage would stay stationary). The craft would then fly as a helicopter to a controlled landing.
There are some much better images here (under "Photo Gallery" and "Image Gallery") but they don't appear licensed for reüse.
answered 4 hours ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
2
Naïvely speaking, I would think that the diæresis above theuin the word reüse doesn't help anybody pronounce it correctly and only reïnforces an impression that the poster may be a bit of a pretentious hypercorrectiïst™. But that's just a hypothesis...
– leftaroundabout
2 hours ago
@leftaroundabout Both forms are equally valid in English. If feel that the diæresis (to use an alternate spelling) plays a useful role and thus I often use it. I prefer to reserve hyphenation for certain compound words and the like.
– Alex Hajnal
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Could a slower or smaller rocket take advantage of lift if all the stages had wings?
Wings on the first stage can be useful; the Pegasus air-launched rocket has wings on its first stage that provide some lift.
In most cases wings aren't worth using on orbital launchers; they add drag and weight that usually isn't compensated for by lift. Wings on upper stages are very unlikely to be beneficial.
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
82k2273355
add a comment |
Could a slower or smaller rocket take advantage of lift if all the stages had wings?
Wings on the first stage can be useful; the Pegasus air-launched rocket has wings on its first stage that provide some lift.
In most cases wings aren't worth using on orbital launchers; they add drag and weight that usually isn't compensated for by lift. Wings on upper stages are very unlikely to be beneficial.
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
82k2273355
add a comment |
Could a slower or smaller rocket take advantage of lift if all the stages had wings?
Wings on the first stage can be useful; the Pegasus air-launched rocket has wings on its first stage that provide some lift.
In most cases wings aren't worth using on orbital launchers; they add drag and weight that usually isn't compensated for by lift. Wings on upper stages are very unlikely to be beneficial.
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
82k2273355
Could a slower or smaller rocket take advantage of lift if all the stages had wings?
Wings on the first stage can be useful; the Pegasus air-launched rocket has wings on its first stage that provide some lift.
In most cases wings aren't worth using on orbital launchers; they add drag and weight that usually isn't compensated for by lift. Wings on upper stages are very unlikely to be beneficial.
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
82k2273355
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
82k2273355
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
82k2273355
answered 4 hours ago
Russell Borogove
82k2273355
82k2273355
add a comment |
add a comment |
Though it seems noöne has spun an entire rocket stage to slow it, something has similar has been tried. The long-defunct Rotary Rocket company was developing the Roton™ reüsable single-state-to-orbit launcher that would use helicopter-like blades to slow and land. A bit more info on it can be found on Wikipedia.
Alan Radecki via Wikimedia Commons, GFDL / CC BY-SA 3.0
Not present in the photo above, the rotor blades were attached to the dome at the top and folded flush against the fuselage during ascent. After reënty, the blades would fold to a horizontal orientation and be spun up (I believe) using thrusters on the blade tips (the cap and blades would spin and the fuselage would stay stationary). The craft would then fly as a helicopter to a controlled landing.
There are some much better images here (under "Photo Gallery" and "Image Gallery") but they don't appear licensed for reüse.
answered 4 hours ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
2
Naïvely speaking, I would think that the diæresis above theuin the word reüse doesn't help anybody pronounce it correctly and only reïnforces an impression that the poster may be a bit of a pretentious hypercorrectiïst™. But that's just a hypothesis...
– leftaroundabout
2 hours ago
@leftaroundabout Both forms are equally valid in English. If feel that the diæresis (to use an alternate spelling) plays a useful role and thus I often use it. I prefer to reserve hyphenation for certain compound words and the like.
– Alex Hajnal
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Though it seems noöne has spun an entire rocket stage to slow it, something has similar has been tried. The long-defunct Rotary Rocket company was developing the Roton™ reüsable single-state-to-orbit launcher that would use helicopter-like blades to slow and land. A bit more info on it can be found on Wikipedia.
Alan Radecki via Wikimedia Commons, GFDL / CC BY-SA 3.0
Not present in the photo above, the rotor blades were attached to the dome at the top and folded flush against the fuselage during ascent. After reënty, the blades would fold to a horizontal orientation and be spun up (I believe) using thrusters on the blade tips (the cap and blades would spin and the fuselage would stay stationary). The craft would then fly as a helicopter to a controlled landing.
There are some much better images here (under "Photo Gallery" and "Image Gallery") but they don't appear licensed for reüse.
answered 4 hours ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
2
Naïvely speaking, I would think that the diæresis above theuin the word reüse doesn't help anybody pronounce it correctly and only reïnforces an impression that the poster may be a bit of a pretentious hypercorrectiïst™. But that's just a hypothesis...
– leftaroundabout
2 hours ago
@leftaroundabout Both forms are equally valid in English. If feel that the diæresis (to use an alternate spelling) plays a useful role and thus I often use it. I prefer to reserve hyphenation for certain compound words and the like.
– Alex Hajnal
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Though it seems noöne has spun an entire rocket stage to slow it, something has similar has been tried. The long-defunct Rotary Rocket company was developing the Roton™ reüsable single-state-to-orbit launcher that would use helicopter-like blades to slow and land. A bit more info on it can be found on Wikipedia.
Alan Radecki via Wikimedia Commons, GFDL / CC BY-SA 3.0
Not present in the photo above, the rotor blades were attached to the dome at the top and folded flush against the fuselage during ascent. After reënty, the blades would fold to a horizontal orientation and be spun up (I believe) using thrusters on the blade tips (the cap and blades would spin and the fuselage would stay stationary). The craft would then fly as a helicopter to a controlled landing.
There are some much better images here (under "Photo Gallery" and "Image Gallery") but they don't appear licensed for reüse.
answered 4 hours ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
Though it seems noöne has spun an entire rocket stage to slow it, something has similar has been tried. The long-defunct Rotary Rocket company was developing the Roton™ reüsable single-state-to-orbit launcher that would use helicopter-like blades to slow and land. A bit more info on it can be found on Wikipedia.
Alan Radecki via Wikimedia Commons, GFDL / CC BY-SA 3.0
Not present in the photo above, the rotor blades were attached to the dome at the top and folded flush against the fuselage during ascent. After reënty, the blades would fold to a horizontal orientation and be spun up (I believe) using thrusters on the blade tips (the cap and blades would spin and the fuselage would stay stationary). The craft would then fly as a helicopter to a controlled landing.
There are some much better images here (under "Photo Gallery" and "Image Gallery") but they don't appear licensed for reüse.
answered 4 hours ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
edited 1 hour ago
answered 4 hours ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
answered 4 hours ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
answered 4 hours ago
Alex Hajnal
1,066313
1,066313
2
Naïvely speaking, I would think that the diæresis above theuin the word reüse doesn't help anybody pronounce it correctly and only reïnforces an impression that the poster may be a bit of a pretentious hypercorrectiïst™. But that's just a hypothesis...
– leftaroundabout
2 hours ago
@leftaroundabout Both forms are equally valid in English. If feel that the diæresis (to use an alternate spelling) plays a useful role and thus I often use it. I prefer to reserve hyphenation for certain compound words and the like.
– Alex Hajnal
2 hours ago
add a comment |
2
Naïvely speaking, I would think that the diæresis above theuin the word reüse doesn't help anybody pronounce it correctly and only reïnforces an impression that the poster may be a bit of a pretentious hypercorrectiïst™. But that's just a hypothesis...
– leftaroundabout
2 hours ago
@leftaroundabout Both forms are equally valid in English. If feel that the diæresis (to use an alternate spelling) plays a useful role and thus I often use it. I prefer to reserve hyphenation for certain compound words and the like.
– Alex Hajnal
2 hours ago
2
2
Naïvely speaking, I would think that the diæresis above the
u in the word reüse doesn't help anybody pronounce it correctly and only reïnforces an impression that the poster may be a bit of a pretentious hypercorrectiïst™. But that's just a hypothesis...– leftaroundabout
2 hours ago
Naïvely speaking, I would think that the diæresis above the
u in the word reüse doesn't help anybody pronounce it correctly and only reïnforces an impression that the poster may be a bit of a pretentious hypercorrectiïst™. But that's just a hypothesis...– leftaroundabout
2 hours ago
@leftaroundabout Both forms are equally valid in English. If feel that the diæresis (to use an alternate spelling) plays a useful role and thus I often use it. I prefer to reserve hyphenation for certain compound words and the like.
– Alex Hajnal
2 hours ago
@leftaroundabout Both forms are equally valid in English. If feel that the diæresis (to use an alternate spelling) plays a useful role and thus I often use it. I prefer to reserve hyphenation for certain compound words and the like.
– Alex Hajnal
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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2
Kindly attribute all images and quotes. Thanks!
– Alex Hajnal
4 hours ago
1
X-37 is under a fairing during the atmospheric portion of ascent, getting no lift from its wings; it does a gliding reentry and landing like the space shuttle.
– Russell Borogove
4 hours ago
1
I believe that's the X-37's orbital module (propulsion, consumables, etc.). It's odd that it would have wings too; I suspect the reason for having them (like much surrounding the X-37) is classified. Also, can you please provide image citations?
– Alex Hajnal
4 hours ago
2
@AlexHajnal The X-37 is one piece, not separate modules; the forward surfaces are wings, the aft are a V-tail.
– Russell Borogove
3 hours ago
1
@AlexHajnal et al. pics of X-37 after landing here help illustrate that the two tail fins in the back (bottom in this view) are not coplanar, but are pointing towards us, or "out of the page" in this view. (my awkward way of saying "V-tail")
– uhoh
1 hour ago