Do rockets have any aerodynamic control surfaces (to direct the rocket in the right way)?

Question

For example, if wind blows it one way, is there anything to get it back on course?

Answer 1

Look at some rockets and see for yourself.

Most have very little, if anything in the way of control surfaces. Why bother? They are space vehicles, not atmosphere vehicles. They gimbal their rockets, an approach that was first widely deployed in the V2.

Answer 2

Wind is a problem for rockets.  Fins do help with stabilization, but they add weight and drag, and are useless in space.

Rockets without fins use gimbaled nozzles.  In this design, the nozzle can pivot on two axes, allowing correcting torques to be applied to the rocket, pointing it back on course.

Beyond this, the general strategy is to launch on calm days.

Answer 3

Aerodynamic control surfaces are only of any use in the atmosphere.  You will notice there is a marked difference in shape between the Shuttle, and the launch vehicle.  The fins on the vehicle are enough to keep it on track into orbit, but for re-entry and movement through the atmosphere, the Shuttle has fairly conventional aircraft-type controls.  The old science fiction pictures of streamlined space ships are far from the truth.  Why go to all that trouble only for the first 5 minutes, and the last 5 minutes of a journey?  If you look at the ISS, you will see it is of no definable shape because it doesn't need to be.  The Shuttle, however, is designed for atmospheric travel.

Answer 4

Go look at some pictures :-)