The Effect of the Presence of Grid Fins on the Aerodynamic Coefficients During Landing of the First Stage of Falcon 9 Rocket
Reusable first-stage boosters have sharply reduced the cost of orbital launch, but recovering them depends on precise aerodynamic control during atmospheric descent. During the unpowered coasting phase, with the main engines off, grid fins are the primary means of steering the vehicle: the lift and drag they generate a...