Aurora Rocketry

MEET THE TEAM

AERODYNAMIC

OVERVIEW

EXTERNAL AERODYNAMICS and SIMULATIONS

The main research area 'and external aerodynamics. The team uses fluid dynamics tools

computational (cfd) for conducting external simulations. These simulations are implemented

in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models, with a selection that varies as a function of case

of specific study and of the geometric complex of the system. The studies also cover various regimes of

flight to ensure an exhaustive analysis of aerodynamic performance.

OPTIMIZATION OF AERODYNAMIC SURFACES

One division of the activity is dedicated to the optimization of external aerodynamic surfaces. This

research and development process is carried out working in synergy with thesis and trainees. The

optimization activities focus specifically on the following structural and control components:

• Flaps

• Boattail

• Nosecone

• Airbrakes

AIRBRAKES PROJECT and DATA ANALYSIS

A central initiative of the department is the airbrakes project. The processing of data and

the post-processing procedures related to this and other projects are geared to determining

precision of aerodynamic coefficients. A fundamental metric extracted from the simulations is the curve of the

drag coefficient (CD) as a function of Mach number (cd mach curve).

VALIDATION METHODOLOGY

To ensure the scientific rigor and accuracy of predictive models, all the results obtained by the

computational simulations are subject to verification procedures. Data validation is based on the

direct comparison with accredited ”validation cases” and on the use of semi-empirical data.