Open AccessFlow Behaviour Assessment of Smokey SAM Rocket Prototype
Author(s) -
Nur Azam Abdullah,
Nor Izzuddin Ismail,
Izham Izzati Ismail,
Muhammad Hanafi Azami,
Norhuda Hidayah Nordin,
Nor Aiman Sukindar,
Zaima Azira Zainal Abidin,
Ahmad Joahari Abu Bakar,
Noriza Dani
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
cfd letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.288
H-Index - 13
ISSN - 2180-1363
DOI - 10.37934/cfdl.13.9.4256
Subject(s) - aerodynamics , rocket (weapon) , pitching moment , aerospace engineering , computational fluid dynamics , lift coefficient , engineering , mach number , aerodynamic force , flight dynamics , simulation , mechanical engineering , angle of attack , turbulence , mechanics , physics , reynolds number
This paper presents an aerodynamic assessment on the "Smokey Sam Prototype (TRL-6) Start (X)". Initially, the rocket prototype was designed using OpenRocket open source software, where all of the user's design requirements and objectives are considered. The TRL-6 Smokey Sam Star (X) is expected to fly within 400 m with the operating Mach 0.2, as comparable to US GTR-18A. This research evaluates the aerodynamics performance of the design Smokey Sam prototype rocket using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. For instance, the CFD study assessed the flight performance and stability once launched, such as lift coefficient, drag coefficient and pitching moment. This research employs K-omega (k-ω) model to express the turbulent properties of the flow. The actual pressure distribution was compared with the conventional rocket material's exact pressure distribution to inspect the best rocket material to sustain the best strength to weight ratio at high-speed trajectory operation. Several observations were made into the modelling process, such as surrounding velocity and pressure. It is found that the flight is in stable mode since the obtained pitching moments are almost zero at all assessed speeds.