SpaceX has unveiled a significant redesign of the Super Heavy booster’s grid fins, a key part of the Starship system. These new fins, now 50% larger and stronger, are reduced from four to three units, improving maneuverability during descent.
Its increased size allows the vehicle to adopt greater angles of attack, optimizing control in critical return phases.
Improvements to the Super Heavy propellant
[post_relacionado]In addition to the aerodynamic redesign, the fins now have an additional function: they will be used as anchor points for the capture of the vehicle by the mechanical arms of the tower. For this purpose, their position has been modified, placing them lower in the thruster fuselage. This arrangement aligns them with the recovery arms and reduces exposure to the heat generated by the engines during ignition.
Another relevant technical aspect is that the shaft of each flap, its actuator and support structure are now integrated directly inside the propellant fuel tank. This modification aims to protect critical components from the external environment and simplify the overall system design.
This advance is part of the preparations for the upcoming test flights. test flightswhere the performance of these improvements will be evaluated in real conditions.
Source and photo: SpaceX via Twitter