MTA Firing Event, 2022-09-10

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by Dave Nordling, President, Reaction Research Society

The University of Southern California (USC) Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (RPL) conducted a series of six propellant sample burns for characterizing their latest mixture. I was the pyrotechnic operator in charge for that day. New member and former USC RPL student, Michael Rouleau, was my apprentice that day.

Careful installation of the grains.

Testing took place in the horizontal configuration on our repaired pad with the new 3/4” female pattern using a load cell and chamber pressure transmitters reading from the bulkhead in a modular nozzle can configuration.

USC RPL’s ”Kiwi” subscale propellant grain testing rig.

USC RPL has had several motor failures in recent times which has led this year’s team to try a better known and safer recipe. COVID-19 played a role in creating a knowledge gap. This year’s team hopes to reclaim a success when the full static fire motor is tested at the RRS MTA in a little more than a month.

One of six successful grain firings.

September 2022 meeting

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by Keith Yoerg, Secretary, RRS.ORG

The Reaction Research Society held our monthly meeting on September 9th. It was the first in-person meeting in 31 months We met at the front office of the Compton/Woodley Airport at our usual starting time of 7:30pm. This was a new location for us and we are grateful to the staff of Los Angeles County for their hospitality.

We still held our teleconference which continues to allow our members living far from the city to join us. We will stay at this location for the next two more meetings to decide if this will be our permanent location.

September meeting agenda

  1. Review of recent MTA/rocket events:
  2. Upcoming MTA events
    • Bathroom work to continue this month
    • New concrete launch pad
    • USC RPL testing campaign
  3. Catching-up in person

This is a placeholder until the full meeting minutes can be transferred.

Our next meeting will be on October 14 at the same location at the front office of the Compton/Woodley Airport. We will meet every 2nd Friday of each month. Contact the RRS secretary for information.

Returning to In-Person Monthly Meetings, Sept. 9, 2022

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by Dave Nordling, President, RRS.ORG

It is with great pleasure that the RRS executive council has decided to restart in-person monthly meetings starting Friday, September 9, 2022. It has been over two and a half years since we last met on February 2020.

We will meet at a NEW LOCATION which is the front office of the Compton/Woodley Airport at 901 West Alondra Blvd, Compton, CA, 90220. Meeting starts at 7:30pm, please arrive early.

Compton/Woodley Airport is between Central and Wilmington Avenues.

There is plenty of parking in front of the building and on the street. Members can also park inside the airport if desired. Only the left gate is operational.

Front office for the Compton/Woodley Airport.

This will be our regular meeting location for the next three months as we determine if it is sufficient for a permanent location,

All monthly meetings are on the 2nd Friday of every month.

COVID-19 has prevented in-person meetings until now, but the threat of contagion is still with us. We expect all attendees to comply with local mask mandates if they return.

The teleconference feature will remain as a permanent featuree for those wishing to attend from afar,

Contact the RRS secretary to join us,

secretary@rrs.org