Analysis of the Effect of Fin Design Variations on Drag Coefficient and Drag Force on RX-450 Rocket using CFD Simulation

Andi Wira Satria; Edi Sofyan; Muhammad Fa'iz Alfatih

Authors

Andi Wira Satria Sekolah Tinggi Teknologi Kedirgantaraan Yogyakarta
Edi Sofyan Sekolah Tinggi Teknologi Kedirgantaraan
Muhammad Fa'iz Alfatih Sekolah Tinggi Teknologi Kedirgantaraan

Keywords:

rocket, coefficient of drag, drag force, CFD Simulation

Abstract

Aerodynamic drag is one of the main factors affecting rocket performance during supersonic flight, as it directly influences stability, fuel efficiency, and flight range. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of fin geometry variations specifically sweep angles (50°, 54.46°, and 60°) and semispan lengths (450 mm, 500 mm, and 550 mm) on the aerodynamic characteristics of the RX-450 rocket. The geometry was digitally modeled, and simulations based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) were carried out under airflow conditions at Mach 3.3. The results show that the fin design with a 60° sweep angle and 450 mm semispan yielded the lowest Coefficient of Drag (CD) and Drag Force (DF), at 0.0744 and 226.47 N, respectively. This design also fulfilled stability requirements, indicated by a positive stability margin. In conclusion, variations in fin design significantly affect the rocket’s aerodynamic characteristics, and a smaller sweep angle with a shorter semispan is recommended to improve performance.

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