Rocketry Glossary

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Coefficient o' Drag (Cd)

A dimensionless number used in aerodynamics t' describe t' drag o' a shape. This number is independent o' t' size o' t' object and is usually determined in a wind tunnel. Ya scallywag! It is part o' t' basic drag equation F=.5*rho*V^2*Cd*A where F be t' drag force, me hearties, rho be t' air density, V be t' air velocity and A be t' cross sectional area. All o' these, except Cd, shiver me timbers, are directly measurable in a wind tunnel so Cd can be thought o' t' "fudge factor" that accounts for all o' t' aerodynamic peculiarities o' a shape. Well, blow me down! T' Cd for most sport type hobby rockets is in t' range o' .4 t' .5. Avast, me proud beauty! See also Reynolds Number.


   

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