A MEANS TO INCREASE THE SURFACE AREA OF AN AEROFOIL FOR THE SAME SPAN AND CHORD

摘要

An aircraft's empennage traditionally has aerofoil surfaces arranged orthogonally so as to provide both stabilizing and control moments about the aircraft's neutral axis. A common embodiment is shown in Fig. 1 below. Rockets also have a requirement for an aerodynamic stabilising moment, particularly at lower speeds. Rockets typically have a cruciform arrangement of fins. In the late 1960's the Soviet Union developed an alternative to the aerodynamic fin which used a low aspect but broad rabo mesh. This idea has been used in various Soviet ballistic missile designs such as the SS-12 Scaleboard. SS-20 Saber, SS-21 Scarab. SS-23 Spider, and SS-25 Sickle, as well as the N-1 (the intended rocket for the Soviet moon program). It is understand that the mesh (or "grid") fins on the N1 were folded for transport and unfolded prior to launch.