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MTA Launch Event, 2023-06-10

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by Dave Nordling, President, RRS.ORG

The Reaction Research Society held a launch event at our Mojave Test Area on June 10, 2023. We had two groups holding separate events that day.

Operation Progress and the Los Angeles Police Department’s Community Safety Partnership held an event with student built “Big Bertha” rockets. Our society treasurer, Larry Hoffing, was the pyro-op in charge. Our vice president, Frank Miuccio, was supporting the event in uniform.

Everything went well as we had some clouds, low winds and mild temperatures for June. A group photo under the MTA arch was a nice finish to a great event. We thank Operation Progress and LAPD and the volunteers who helped make the event a success.

The RRS MTA’s latest improvement, our containerized restroom got its first live test and performed well. Final fixes to be completed this year.

The second event we had at the MTA a little further north was the UCLA Capstone project. Every year before graduation, some UCLA students build custom model rockets with different objectives. They used F and G motors so they still qualify as model rockets. RRS secretary, Joel Cool-Panama, and myself supervised the event with Professors Mitchell Spearrin and Bret Lopez.

All teams were able to launch, sometimes multiple times. UCLA teams recorded their results as part of the senior class. UCLA was well organized and is very easy to work with. We hope to see them again next year at the MTA.

While Joel and I observed UCLA’s operations, we took some time with a shovel and rake to remove the large amount of brush that has grown around the MTA launch and work areas. This year’s abundance of rain was a God-send to many throughout the drought-racked state od California. To the society, it served as a bold reminder that brush clearance is and will be a frequent need to safely continue our operations.

The large vertical test stand with its concrete flame trench has been idle for several years. The Compton Comet team hopes to conduct a static fire test some day soon. After some surveying of the area’s worst spots for brush, Joel decided to clear out the flame trench. I was getting winded just keeping up with loading and carrying away the removed piles. Joel is a good worker and has made his mark this year at the society and serving as an officer on the council.

The last photo is of the 2023 RRS executive council, all of whom attended and participated at this June 10th event.

Our next event will be in July. This could be Saturday, July 22nd, if I get more confirmation from those wanting to launch. All launch and test requests must be made to the RRS president.

president@rrs.org

June 2023 Meeting

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by Joel Cool-Panama, Secretary, RRS.ORG

The Reaction Research Society held its monthly meeting at the Compton/Woodley Airport location, 7:30 PM PST.

Agenda topics of the meeting were:

  • Wolfram launch on 5/20 cancelled, postponed
  • Lynwood Unified Girl STEM conference, 6/1
  • Funding received for 60ft launch rail, prefabbed containers, solar panels
  • USC upgrade proposal for horizontal pad
  • 6/10 UCLA launch event
  • 7/21 Aerospace launch event
  • Larry CalFire recommendation letters
  • Discussion of 45kW power generator purchase
    • Our current generator is only 7kW
    • Society will likely need to replace the current generator
  • Liquids and Cryogenic Fluid Handling class
    • Cryogenic Training, Colorado School of Mines, 7/31-8/4

Past Events

There was a launch event scheduled for May 20th, held for society member Wolfram’s personal project. Unfortunately, he suffered from a pinched nerve on the day of the launch, and chose not to make the drive to the MTA while dealing with the pain. We’ll have future opportunities for Wolfram’s next test flight of his 2-stage Gas Guzzler rocket.

On June 1st, Society Secretary represented the Society at the Lynwood Girl’s STEM conference. The Society was last represented at this event a few years ago, so it is appreciated that Joel took the time out of his busy schedule to attend.

The Society is pleased to announce that we have received funding for a number of planned improvements to the MTA. Some of the money is set to pay for new solar panels, as well as to pay for the previously installed one. Two other items paid for here are a prefabbed containers, one a 20ft office space, and the other a 40ft crew cabin. Finally, and arguably the most important, is money for a proposed 60ft launch rail for liquid rockets. A final design for the same has not been chosen yet, but proposals are currently being sought out from various sources by the Executive Council.

Current Events

USC is currently proposing making improvements to the short launch tower at the MTA. Our contact who has proposed this project is currently set to graduate from the school this year, so time is likely of the essence. His proposal however, surely to everyone’s pleasure, is to set female anchors into the concrete pad.

There is a launch event set for June 10th. There are two groups who will be using the site on that day. One is a children’s group led by Frank and Larry. They will be launching B and C rockets, and Baby Berthas. The second group to use the site on that day will be UCLA, who will be launching F and G rockets. This is a senior capstone project for their students. At the same time, Dave and Joel will be traveling there to handle UCLA, and Dave will be bringing some more supplies for the restroom.

In regards to the restroom, Dave is pleased to announce that it has passed the initial tests, and is functional. However, the water heater for the shower and sink has not yet been installed. It’s first live demonstration will be at the 6/10 Launch Event tomorrow.

The society is pleased to announce that we had a new member attend our meeting this month. Adrew Fuller is an intern at Northrop Grumman, and was invited by his coworker and fellow member, Michael R. During the discussion with him, it was brought up that a Northrop Grumman internet launch event might be proposed.

Also, Bill Inmann mentioned towards the end of the meeting that he’s made some upgrades to his Solar Cat steam rocket. He has apparently made the controls of the rocket wholey wireless, which could improve safety immensley.

*Future Events

On July 21st, the Aerospace Corporation is set to have a launch event at the MTA. Aerospace has agreed to pay the full MTA price, for what will be an internet launch event. Aerospace employee Jerry Fuller is also set to do a hybrid launch.

Society Treasurer Larry has previously expressed a desire to discuss Calfire recommendation letters, however, as of the time of this meeting, he has requested that the discussion be tabled. It was mentioned by other members that Caleb Phillips is our contact at Calfire, and he has apparently made some comments in regards to the difficulties in acquiring the number of recommendations required for obtaining a license. One idea suggested is the minimum number being no more than some proportion of current license holders in total. It was also brought that, in regards to obtaining a class 3 license, CALFIRE truly only asks for a few recommendations from other Pyro-ops, and will accept some references from non-family me,bers which are only character references in nature.

Another future issue discussed was in regards to the purchase of a 45kw power generator. It needs to be determined what are the MTA’s power needs, and this will have to be done by measuring the appliances there. It should also be determined how many appliances should be in operation at once on the site. It was suggested that we should ask FAR what their average power usage is, to use as a baseline. The importance of this discussion will increase as time continues on, since the Society will need obtain a new generator in the next several years.

In regards to upgrades, the Society’s donors would like to receive an all-in figure the cost of upgrades we would like. President Dave has been working on producing a figure, and our donors haven’t yet agreed to it as a whole, but our best bet is to try and demonstrate our ability to carry out the upgrades in a timely fashion, and on budget, in order to make use of their generosity.

Regarding usage of the MTA, Vice-President Frank has scheduled another class. This one is for the Boyle Heights YMCA. He’s currently planning to host their launch on September 9th.

Keith Yoerg has again brought up that the society could surely use more launchers at the MTA. If they were portable then they would be better yet, since they could be repositioned as needed, to be best viewed from the blockhouse. He has again mentioned that he would like to see regularly scheduled events held at the MTA, to drum up interest in rocketry, and the Society. Keith and Michael Rouleau were going to investigate designs of a multi-rail launcher with six 1010 rails. The council approved funding for this important improvement to aid in future launch events.

Frank was also pleased to announce that Mary Star, the location for this year’s Symposium, has already scheduled us to host it there again next year, on April 13th. Having a set date and location will make planning much easier than it was this year, and we are pleased again with Frank’s hard work.

The next society meeting will be on July 14th, 2023, at the Compton/Woodley Airport location. Contact the secretary for details. We meet the 2nd Friday of each month at 7:30pm.

March 2023 Meeting

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by Joel Cool-Panama, Secretary, RRS.ORG

The Reaction Research Society held its monthly meeting at the Compton/Woodley Airport location, March 10th, at 7:30 PM PST.

Agenda topics of the meeting were:

  • Jim Gross video watch in San Fernando
  • Symposium
  • MTA Upgrades:
    • MTA Restroom
    • Restroom locks
    • Blockhouse
    • 60 ft launch rail
    • Fencing
    • New generator
  • UCLA 3/2/23
  • Nickerson Gardens, 3/18
  • Claybaugh launch 4/22, 4/29
  • Polaris Propulsion MTA use, August/September
  • Polaris Propulsion meeting, March 14th
  • American Artist
  • FAR solid motor class
  • Expansion of MTA use
  • Plastic bin donations

Past Events

UCLA was scheduled to use the MTA on March 2nd. However, they had to reschedule, and are now due to use the MTA on March 18th. As a part of their use of the MTA, UCLA has agreed to clear some brush on the property on the society’s behalf.

Yet more progress has been made on the MTA restroom project. Though the water pump is not yet running, the shower is operational. Also, Dimitri has been looking into high quality locks for the MTA, having spend $60 so far on the project.

Current Events

Claybaugh is currently working on his next launch at the MTA. As of now, he is scheduled to launch on April 22nd.

As previously mentioned, society member Dimitri is researching high quality locks for the MTA. The ones at the site now are typical residential locks, and have withstood the elements poorly since their installation. The ones Dimitri is currently looking into are better resistant to dust, being used at mines and quarries. The new locks can all be keyed so that the whole facility will only make use of a handful of keys, making keeping a whole set easier.

Jim Gross has also confirmed that his video watch party will be held at his home in San Fernando. Though he is apparently open to hosting future watch parties online, it seems that on this occasion he plans to host the party exclusively in-person. He also is looking into getting an educational allowance from the publisher, for his watch parties.

The RRS symposium is now certainly set to be held at the Mary Star of the Sea High School, in San Pedro, Los Angeles. The society will be arriving early to do necessary preparations for the day, and will likewise do some setup the night before, before or after our monthly meeting, to be held at the same location. Frank has already obtained the keys to the campus, so we will be free to setup before the day of.

In regards to our preparations, it’s been noted that we should seek out Fire Marshall approal for a model rocket, if we are to launch one at the symposium. Mary Star will handle food service for us, and we will need to keep an eye out for vandalism to their campus. We also need to check the quality of their internet service, and to obtain signs and easels.

In regards to attendance of the symposium, a number of groups have confirmed their attendance or absence at this time. FAR has confirmed that they will not be at the symposium. The Air Force might make an attendance, and ROC is expected to come as well. There is also a desire to reach out to Civil Air Control. Over all, it’s been noted that the symposium attendance will have fewer schools, with a greater industry presence.

Society Treasurer Larry has made some progress in regards to the new Blockhouse project. He’s made contact with National Concrete, who can build a new blockhouse, and has received an estimate. This same group has been used by the society previously for the restroom concrete pads.The society has recently accepted the donation of a telescoping tower. The tower is about 50 to 60 feet in length, and the donor is asking for a tax write-off in return.

Headway has also been made in constructing new MTA fencing. Ed’s Fencing has given an estimate of $100k. Their estimate includes a 6-foot high mendable fence, with concrete posts 3 feet in the ground. Alternatives cheaper than this have been proposed, including a simple razor wire fence, by Dimitri.

Another project has also been undertaken for the MTA. Society Secretary Joel has been delegated the responsiblity of improving the MTA’s electrical infrastructure. The current generator used at the site is owned by Polaris Propulsion, and it’s been noted that it is not clean burning. There is a desire to purchase a cleaner and more efficent 20kw generator, as well as to add solar to the electrical infrastructure. It’s been recommended that Osvaldo be contacted in regards to this project.

Frank’s class in Nickerson Gardens is currently set to launch their rockets on March 18th. Frank’s current plan is to launch each rocket three times.

Responses have been received from members regarding FAR’s solid motor class. The class will span over three weeks, and will be led by John Newman. It’s been noted that a single class uses 8 feet of propellant and that a class only takes 4 persons. The classes will be $10 per person per day.

Future Events

Polaris Propulsion is going to make use of the MTA later in the year, starting in August, and ending in September.

American Artist is still planning to launch his rocket. It’s a 1936 vintage Caltech motor, and as of now it is expected to occur either at the end of the year, or some time next year.

The society is also looking into expanding MTA use in the future. There is a desire to hold regular launch events, such as on the fourth Saturday of the month. The society will also need a high power launch rail to accomodate more clients in the future.

The next society meeting will be on April 14th, 2023, at Mary Star of the Sea High School. Contact the secretary for details.