How about big fins for the thin air.

Space/Science » in reply to Air density would probably be an issue.

ER — 7/25/2022 12:35:34 AM (archived)

They could be designed to fall off after the rocket picked up enough speed for the smaller fins to bite.

Or the first stage could have big fins, after it burned out and fell off, the 2nd stage would be going fast enough for smaller fins to get a bite on the air.

The whole thread (13 posts)

Question - RobVG - 7/16/2022 8:17:26 AM
- A vacuum has no temperature. - ER - 7/16/2022 11:55:52 AM
  - Question revisited - RobVG - 7/22/2022 2:49:34 PM
    - yes. - ER - 7/22/2022 5:12:36 PM
      - The cool thing is, modern high power model rockets can easily reach lunar escape velocity. - RobVG - 7/23/2022 10:15:29 PM
        
        Why not launch one from a high altitude balloon? - ER - 7/24/2022 12:30:35 AM
        
        It was done in 1997. - RobVG - 7/28/2022 1:04:03 AM
        
        Air density would probably be an issue. - RobVG - 7/24/2022 7:58:41 PM
        
        How about big fins for the thin air. - ER - 7/25/2022 12:35:34 AM
        
        That's a possibility. Fall away boosters with larger fins are commonplace. - RobVG - 7/25/2022 2:49:35 AM
        
        Good idea! - RobVG - 7/24/2022 1:59:53 AM
      - Great answer. Thanks again ER. - RobVG - 7/23/2022 3:02:25 AM
  - Thanks. it was one of those bedtime thoughts. - RobVG - 7/16/2022 4:54:35 PM

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