Tag Archives: restroom facility

MTA firing report, 2022-03-12

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by Dave Nordling, President, Reaction Research Society

The Reaction Research Society held a members only event on March 12th. I was the pyrotechnic operator in charge, We used the event to make some facility changes, launch a set of model rockets to prepare for school events coming soon and conduct the second and last destructive burst test of a fired steam vessel. All were successful.

The society has needed more storage space at the MTA and was glad to receive a donated 40-foot container. We are very grateful to member, Dimitri Timohovich, for making that possible including transporting to the pads in the north yard. We hope to add shelving and reorganize our gear soon.

New storage space at the MTA.

The vertical test stand is in need of some refurbishment. After USC’s last failed solid motor test, the anchor bolts will have to be removed and the concrete patched as necessary. A new mounting design is being discussed and USC is willing to provide labor and support to the cleanup activities. Measurements of the entire floor plan were made to make a drawing for easier planning of future tests. The vertical test stand has stood for many years and will be ready for many more.

Our pad is well worn and in need of some work.

We took some time to examine the area where our new restroom facility will be placed in the south of the MTA. Seeing the placement of the septic system is an important next step in expanding our facility.

Future site of the RRS MTA restroom facility.

Bill Inman ran his second burst test of a retired 20-lb propane container. He rebuilt the “mailbox” sheet metal shroud and found another propane fired burner. Mechanical cables to remotely pull the vent valve open or pull away the heat source were tested and ready. With 4 gallons of water filling the closed vessel laying on its side and the burner lit and running, the vessel was run to failure at 1260 psig. This was higher than the prior 1135 psig burst of the first tank on 1.15.2022 and both well above the proof pressure of 900 psig for these commercial product vessels for cold liquid storage.

Bill Inman prepares his second test article for burst testing.
Similar setup as before with the relief valve for safety
Bill cleans up and insoects his equipment after a successful burst.

A video camera recorded the pressure gauge as the heating took place. Total run time was roughly the same at 45 minutes. Bill safely monitored and recorded the time and rising pressure readings with binoculars from the safety of our blockhouse. Footage was reviewed to confirm the last reading before burst (1260 psig). A second video camera was positioned north of the test article and recorded some of fragments flying away. Collateral damage was less on this second test and it will be the last one of its kind. With two data points, a conservative limit can be set and Bill’s steam rocket tests will use an ample factor of safety.

PVC launch rails for wire launching model rockets.

After the area was clear and the major fragments gathered, we brought out one of our PVC rail launchers which will be used in forthcoming launch events. We had a few model rockets to fly and the winds were light making recovery less of a hike.

The Estes Generic E2X takes flight with a solid recovery.
Keith Yoerg celebrates another flight and recovery of the Charlie Horse.

It was nice to have an easy and fun time at the MTA. We barbecued a few burgers and ate well that sunny day with cool temperaturess. We plan to be back again for more maintenance operations and another school launch event.

For questiions, contact the RRS secretary or president,

January 2022 virtual meeting

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Keith Yoerg, Secretary, Reaction Research Society

The society held its first monthly meeting of the new year by teleconference on Friday, January 14, 2022. We welcomed our newly elected officers including our new society president, Dave Nordling.

The meeting started by reminding everyone that membership dues for 2022 must be paid by January 1. Despite prior notices, the RRS decided that member dues for 2022 will remain at 2021 rates, $40 for associate and administrative members, $20 for student members, Payments can be made through Paypal using the “Donate” link button on the RRS.ORG website.

In addition to the treasurer’s report, the Amazon Smile account of the RRS received over $100 from quarterly purchases made by those who selected the RRS as their charitable organization.

An update was presented to the society. on the progress made with the new restroom facility at the Mojave Test Area.

The recent MTA launch event on 12-17-2021 was reviewed. The firing report is posted on the RRS website.

A testing event at the Mojave Test Area on Saturday, January 15th, is planned, The pyrotechnic operator in charge is Dave Nordling,

Member project updates were made at the meeting including the Compton Comet and the Scalded Cat.

The society is encouraging our members to seek their pyrotechnic operator licenses through CALFIRE. This will help the society have greater flexibility in our operations and give us a greater voice in amateur rocketry in our state,

UCLA is planning to hold another static fire of their liquid rocket at the MTA on 2/5/2022. Dave Nordling will be the pyrotechnic operator in charge.

The Compton Comet team will make a presentation to the society on their progress to date and remaining objectives at the next monthly meeting to be held February 11, 2022.

October 2021 Virtual Meeting

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by Dave Nordling, RRS.ORG

The Reaction Research Society held it’s monthly meeting by teleconference on Friday, October 8, 2021. Some of our members were on travel, but the those in attendance were able to discuss several important issues.

The USC RPL static fire event on 9-26-2021 was safely conducted but ended in a explosion and fire which was ably contained. This was a good example of careful preparations and good management of the people present for the event. A firing report has been posted for this event. Osvaldo Tarditti was the pyrotechnic operator in charge that day.

UCLA had requested the use of the MTA on 10/16/2021 for their next liquid rocket engine test. The MTA was already reserved for Bill Claybaugh’s solid rocket flight that same day and in the days leading up to the event. Dave Nordling was the pyro-op in charge, A firing report for this event will be posted,

UCLA is planning to hold their conceptual design review (CoDR) on 10/22/21 for the next iteration of their liquid rocket. RRS members Dave Nordling and John Krell plan to attend.

Wolfram Blume was on the call and said he was eager to return to the MTA for a second flight attempt of the Gas Guzzler ramjet. With the summer heat gone, he hopes to return at our next launch event which is still being planned. It is hoped that the society can continue their streak of having at least one MTA event per month as we have done since the start of 2021.

The restroom container was purchased and brought to the Compton Airport for interior construction. This 20-foot high cube has a 9.5 foot ceiling and should be able to have two individual rooms with toilet and sink, one of these to have a shower stall. Osvaldo had drafted a floor plan and this was approved by the council. The society will be meeting at the Compton Airport on Saturday, October 23rd, for a late morning barbecue and an in-person discussion of the materials needed to get the restroom interior built. All members are welcome but please notify Keith, Wilbur, Xavier or Dave Nordling if you’re coming as they have access to the airport.

RRS containerized restroom awaits interior design and build

There was some discussion about the septic system and leach field. It is important to maintain an appropriate distance from any nearby water wells, one of which is on Polaris Propulsion property. Sufficient clearance exists based on measurements made and EPA guidelines. The leach field will be positioned to drain away to the north.

The society is considering buying a concrete septic tank but RRS member Wilbur Owens may have a plastic septic tank already available for the society. Some members feel a concrete septic tank will last longer and be less likely to leak. The council is still debating this feature and should render a decision soon.

The society also discussed the water supply to the restroom container and the supporting structure needed to hold a tank on top of the container. There are many important facets to this infrastructure addition which must be weighed carefully.

Nominations for RRS executive council offices will be held at next month’s meeting, November 12th, 2nd Friday of the month at 7:30pm. An election chairman will be selected beforehand and this person must be an active member not holding office nor running for office. A special email address will be set up for the election chairman to gather votes from our active administrative and lifetime members. Results to be announced at the December 10th meeting and new terms to start January 1, 2022.

For any questions, please contact the RRS secretary.

secretary@rrs.org