back [[Technology Evaluation]] h1. Aerodynamics Card Storming h2. Unsorted list of ideas * Wind Tunnel Projects (a'la the Shepard Test Stand) * survey all of the rocket aerodynamics software and rank by utility, ease-of-use, and openness * port J's masters thesis on fin flutter analysis/optimization to open source tools * parametric #CodeCAD models of fins (suitable for 3D printing, milling, and drafting) * Practice/document manufacturing processes for aero structures, hotwire for foam, cutting balsa for fins, 3D printing, etc * Build a computing cluster * Make the computing cluster opt-in (from donated hardware/time) * Study/research impact of surface finish on aerodynamic surfaces * Research/study aerodynamic “fixes” (like trip lines, vortex generators, etc) * Visualization tools/processes for aerodynamic phenomenon/flows (smoke, pressure sensitive paint, streamers, Schlieren) * Scaled composites style wind tunnel by “car/truck” * How fast of a wind tunnel is reasonable to build? * Design processes for wind tunnels by target regime * How to’s for wind tunnel analysis (things like dealing with Reynold’s number etc to properly scale test articles) * Using other “tricks/hacks” to do wind tunnel style tests (UAVs, mounting to model rockets, etc) <- expands the car idea above * Software tools for aero stability (not controls or guidance) * Laboratory measurement software and equipment, especially distributed viewers of a test to remote locations * Research/study impact and limits on externally mounted features (like antennas, etc) on aerodynamic performance (flow perturbation analysis) > * see NACA Aerodynamic DB (subsonic), see NASA for supersonic > * can document how to use sources like that including doing a flight test with a model rocket * Hydro tunnel projects * Cheat sheet/booklet/software for aerodynamic calculations (Cd/Cl build up to go from design to rough estimate of total Cd/Cl) * Add ability to include environmental impact (rain, fog, etc) to wind tunnel to test performance under all weather conditions * Aerodynamic analysis/design of a stable recovery system for payload module in case of vehicle failure (no thrusters or parachutes, like a seed pod) * Investigate using OpenVSP for model/high power rocket design/layout * Extend analysis of aero stability and aero characteristics software and calcs to include subsonic, transonic, and supersonic regimes * Investigation of aerodynamic mechanisms (glider wings, canard fins, etc) * Simulate/study aero-structural analysis (include aeroelasticity, etc)