Atmospheric Steering

• Tailfins are used on nearly all rocket boosters.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
  
  For rockets that operate exclusively in the Earth's atmosphere, such as hobby rockets, steering can be accomplished in the same way as an airplane. A rocket can steer by using pivoting tailfins similar to the adjustable control surfaces (e.g. the elevators or rudder) on an airliner. By adjusting airflow over the tailfins, a force can be created to push the rocket in a new direction. Even if a rocket uses some other means as its main method of steering, tailfins still help to provide passive aerodynamic stability.