Wind Effects on Rocket Flight

This short LabRat video outlines some basics on how the wind effects the flight of thrusting and coasting rockets. Simple animations are used in conjunction with a sounding rocket launch video and a demonstration to help reinforce the ideas discussed. This video is intended for high school teachers and students. More information on this topic can be found at www.labratscientific.com.

[@analogalien]

Hello. I really enjoy your videos and I’m learning so much by watching them. I have a quick question… When I’m flying my rockets, how should I aim them in order to get them to land back to the launch site? Typically, should I aim them into the wind or away form it?

[@shalmalianandm5799]

great!!

[@earthdanger1073]

Great video! What about rockets with no fins using thrust vectored control for stability? What are the factors that may affect its torque during flight?

[@labratscientific1127]

Winds will also affect a guided rocket. Rockets with a simple guidance system that simply maintains pre-launch azimuth and elevation angles wont pitch into wind much, but will drift with the wind. Rockets with more sophisticated guidance systems which allow them to fly to a point in space wont pitch into the wind or drift with the wind. Wind acting on the rockets will cause adverse pitch/yaw moments that will cause the movable fins or movable nozzles to respond in order to keep the rocket on track. Wind shear is the biggest contributor of adverse torques during flight. Guidance systems will also respond to structural vibrations and rocket bending so they have to be designed properly.

[@infatum9]

Thanks for creating educational down-to-the-point content without all these stupid ADHD special effects, casino or game commercials in between, sponsors and other annoying mumbo-jumbo.