Fairings

Fairings are streamlined structures designed to cover or smooth over irregularities in an object's shape to reduce aerodynamic or hydrodynamic drag and improve performance. They are used on aircraft, spacecraft, motor vehicles, ships, and other vehicles, as well as on architectural and mechanical assemblies to conceal components and protect them from the environment.

In aviation, fairings reduce drag at transitions such as the wing to fuselage junction, around landing gear, and over engine nacelles. They are typically lightweight shells made from aluminum or composite materials, shaped with careful aerodynamic profiling to minimize pressure drag while accommodating components inside.

In spaceflight, payload fairings protect the payload during ascent and atmospheric passage. They are large, segmented shells mounted on top of the launch vehicle that separate once the vehicle reaches thinner atmosphere or space, exposing the payload for deployment. They are jettisoned to shed weight, and their design must survive vibration, acoustics, and thermal loads.

Fairings also appear in other domains. Motorcycle and car fairings reduce drag and improve rider protection; ship fairings smooth hull transitions and cover submersible appendages to reduce wave resistance; undersea or submarine fairings reduce flow separation around hull features.

Design considerations include weight, stiffness, access for maintenance, manufacturability, and structural integration with the components they cover. While fairings offer aerodynamic and efficiency benefits, they add upfront cost and may complicate repairs or inspections.