This independent research study began as an opportunity to learn and apply computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for the first time, focusing on the post-burn flight dynamics of Duke AERO’s competition rocket. Under the mentorship of Professor Earl Dowell, I investigated how different canard deflection angles influence turbulence, flow separation, and roll stability at supersonic speeds. Over the course of the spring semester, I developed detailed models using ANSYS Fluent and performed simulations to visualize unsteady aerodynamic phenomena. I am now continuing this research over the summer with a deeper focus on improving simulation fidelity. Key objectives include implementing symmetry planes to refine mesh quality (achieving target y+ values under 5) and calculating the aerodynamic moment generated by the canards—both manually and through Fluent—to better understand their control authority. This extended work aims to produce more accurate data for future rocket design optimization and contribute to the broader understanding of high-speed flow control in aerospace systems.