During the vertical launch sequence of a research sounding rocket, the total aerodynamic drag force (in Newtons) acting against the vehicle casing depends directly on localized atmospheric air density (in ) according to:
The atmospheric density decreases exponentially as a function of altitude (in kilometers) above sea level:
Furthermore, the rocket's vertical flight trajectory tracks altitude over burn-time (in seconds) according to the kinematic performance equation:
- Deconstruct the three-layer composite relationship linking force , density , altitude , and time using the Chain Rule in Leibniz notation.
- Differentiate each structural layer independently to find , , and .
- Evaluate the rocket's altitude and vertical velocity at into launch.
- Calculate the dynamic rate of change of the structural aerodynamic drag force with respect to time () at .