The Aerodynamics Division designs and optimizes the vehicle’s exterior geometry to minimize drag and maximize energy efficiency. The team conducts computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations to analyze airflow patterns and pressure distributions, iteratively refining body contours to achieve the lowest possible drag coefficient while maintaining stability at speed. Core responsibilities include developing streamlined fairing designs that integrate solar panel mounting surfaces, engineering ventilation solutions for battery and motor cooling without compromising aerodynamic performance, fabricating composite body panels using mold-making and layup techniques, and conducting wind tunnel or coast-down testing to validate simulation results. The division collaborates closely with the structure team to ensure aerodynamic shapes are manufacturable and with electrical teams to optimize solar array positioning for both energy capture and airflow efficiency.
