Aerodynamics
The Aerodynamics Department is responsible for understanding and shaping how ASTRA's rockets behave as they move through the atmosphere. The team ensures that the vehicle remains stable, controllable, and aerodynamically efficient throughout ascent, including at transonic and supersonic speeds.
Vehicle Aerodynamics & Stability
Aerodynamics evaluates the forces and moments acting on the rocket during flight. Members analyse stability, drag, centre of pressure, and the influence of components such as fins and the nosecone to ensure that the vehicle follows a predictable and stable trajectory.
Simulation & Design Optimisation
The department uses analytical methods and simulation tools to evaluate different aerodynamic concepts and optimise the outer shape of the rocket. This includes comparing fin geometries, estimating drag, and studying the vehicle's behaviour across different Mach numbers and flight conditions.
Flight Performance & Validation
Aerodynamic models are used together with trajectory simulations to predict how the rocket will perform during flight. After launches, recorded flight data can be compared with these predictions to validate models and improve future designs.
What Does the Work Look Like?
Work in Aerodynamics combines fluid mechanics, flight dynamics, simulation, numerical analysis, CAD, and data evaluation. Members may work on anything from designing and analysing fins to running aerodynamic simulations, supporting trajectory predictions, and evaluating flight data after a launch.
Skills we build here
CAD
We digitally draft and work with the physical geometry of our rocket's outer shape, such as the fins and nosecone in order to create optimal designs.
Fluid Mechanics & Flight Dynamics
We apply fundamental physics to understand and predict how our rockets behave as they move through the atmosphere at varying speeds and varying conditions.
Trajectory Prediction
We integrate our digital models into simulations to forecast a rockets performance, including on-site wind and weather data to determine optimal launch windows.
Flight Analysis
We evaluate our gathered and perceived flight metrics, specifically drag, pressure and aerodynamic forces and compare them against our pre-launch simulations to validate them and improve future models.
