[NRV Rocketry] LADEE Question (for VT Aerospace guys?)

[Thomas Weeks]

BTW... 

> Hey Dr. S, or other VT Aerospace Guys..
> 
> So I've been watching LADEE footage from the launch last night and was just
> wondering.. how do they stabilize large rockets like LADEE that obviously
> have zero visible fins?  Ballistically (if it flew passively) it should go
> end over end.. no?

Here's the photo I was staring at when I posed these questions:
	http://www.nasa.gov/content/ladee-launches-from-nasa-wallops/

The boosters sections look as smooth as a Sono-Tube(tm).

Just made me start wondering...

Tweeks


> 
> Are there ANY control surfaces on the LADEE boosters?  I imagine they would
> have to either use some sort of active vectored thrust, control surfaces,
> or spin stabilization to keep it pointed up... no?
> 
> And what about controlling the % thrust? They're using solid propulsion
> motors (sort of like our HP ACP motors)... which are usually either 100%
> on or burned out/off right? Do they have some sort of burn-rate or
> oxidizer flow rate controls in their motors too?
> 
> Hmm..
> 
> Tweeks
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