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MTA Firing Event, 2024-04-14

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by Dave Nordling, Reaction Research Society

The RRS had a short firing event at the Mojave Test Area on April 14, 2024. I was the pyrotechnic operator in charge that day. Although less rain fell than at prior events, the cold spring weather at Koehn (not so) Dry Lake remained but with low winds.

Rushd Julfiker, our director of research, had built his commercial hybrid motor and mounted it for a static firing. The Contrails 38mm, 16-inch motor is the same model I’ve used in the past with some success. Dimitri Timohovich also apprenticed under me and oversaw operations including remote fill and drain operations. Although a hybrid motor has a solid fuel grain, the compressed liquid oxidizer constitutes a liquid rocket classification by CALFIRE standards.

Dimitri Timohovich had built a portable switch box which I have used in prior operations. It simplifies connections and has the features necessary to assure safe and compliant operations. Rushd managed a good fill operation and a clean ignition. Severing the nylon feedline often requires a boosted charge on top of the electric match. A small portion of aluminum/HTPB/AP composite grain is sufficient to cleanly sever the line while assuring sufficient ignition energy to start the fuel grain burning in the flow of the exiting nitrous oxide.

The basic objective of loading and static firing a hybrid motor at the RRS MTA was met. Rushd and Dimitri are both seeking their Class 1 pyro-op licenses and this experience adds to their growing base. After safing the nitrous system, the motor and mounting was removed and stored for a reloading later. Rushd intends to fire again at a later date, but with a load cell in the system to record thrust.

Dimitri and I observed the restroom facility (Bldg 12) at the MTA now has a functional shower inside and a working hot water system. We thank Osvaldo Tarditti for making several trips to the MTA to complete this amenity for our members and guests.

Dimitri and I discussed and examined the propellant feed system for the upcoming LACMA project with American Artist. Most fittings were present, but some changes to the schematic were necessary to simplify our first firing operations expected next month in May 2024.

For those interested in using the RRS MTA, contact the RRS president.

MTA Firing Event, 2024-03-02

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by Joel Cool-Panama, Secretary, RRS.ORG

The UCLA Prometheus team arrived to the MTA late Friday night under cold winds and light rain. Taking shelter from the elements, many set up their tents inside the Dosa Bldg.

The UCLA team brought their latest custom hybrid motor for a horizontal static fire. Dave Nordling served as pyrotechnic operator with Rushd Julfiker and Dimtiri Timohovich apprenticing. After passing low pressure leak check, they corrected issues in high pressure leak check.  Some minor control issues set back first hot fire to just past sunset. First igniter was a dud. Pyro-op in charge permitted a second attempt with a new igniter. Improper sequencing pushed out the second igniter before the booster charge could light the motor grain under the rush of the oxidizer stream which resulted in the dumping of the nitrous oxide flow over the grain with no ignition.   After some consideration to adjust the timing and reset a new electric match, given the late hour and a concern about hard starting the motor with a recently oxidizer soaked grain, the pyro-op in charge opted to call off the event.  Our unpaid volunteer pyro-ops sometimes will stay late, but sunset is generally considered the cutoff point. UCLA put a great deal of effort and ingenuity but with no success by the end of the event as sometimes happens despite best efforts. UCLA was very courteous throughout the whole event and the RRS looks forward to the Prometheus team’s return to the MTA.


Dimitri and his colleague, George Warner, began the trenching and electrical work this weekend needed to connect our new diesel generator at the MTA which will soon serve our larger electrical and lighting needs around our facility.  The work continued through Sunday, 3/3/2024. The crew cabin (Bldg 15) and the office (Bldg 14) were the first fully-owned RRS owned to be connected to electrical power as they have air conditioning. This will be a welcome resource in the late summer months.


Rushd Julfiker is working on his 38mm Contrails hybrid kit motor for an initial static fire.  Rushd refilled the society’s nitrous bottle. Dave Nordling and Dimitri Timohovich brought and shared their resources and experience. A hybrid motor firing hasn’t been done in a few years and its good to bring this work back as society. Unfortunately given the late hour and missing the nylon tubing needed, Rushd will return at a later date.

Osvaldo Tarditti worked on the shower systems in the restroom facility. We hope to have this convenience working in the coming months. The toilets, urinals and sinks continue to run well even during high usage periods.  The convenience of this facility at our remote location has been a much lauded benefit.

Dave Nordling added metal folding handles to the backsides of the wooden privacy panels in the windows of Bldg’s 14 and 15 for easier removal and replacement.  These heavy panels help insulate the interior from the beating sun. Also, the RRS ate its first meal inside Bldg 15.  The large interior space also can offer our visitors shelter from the elements once we add the beds and more chairs inside.


Dimitri brought the methanol run tanks and empty gas bottles used only for public exhibitions to the MTA. Dave Nordling brought the steel support frames to the MTA along with several components for the fluid feed systems for the 1936 GALCIT engine replica. The first engine parts will be brought to the MTA this coming Thursday when American Artist visits the site for the first time. We look forward to his visit and beginning the first steps in the project.



RRS members involved with the LACMA / American Artist project including RRS President, Frank Miuccio,will be at the MTA on Thursday, March 7, 2024. This will be the first time that American will see the site. Establishing the filming location for the static fire of the 1936 GALCIT replica rocket engine will be the first priority. American’s cinematographer (Chester) and a documentary film crew from PBS will also be present that day.

Next monthly meeting of the RRS will be March 8, 2024, at the Compton/Woodley Airport.

MTA Work Event, 2024-02-17

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by Joel Cool-Panama, Secretary, RRS.ORG

This is a summary of the goals and accomplishments at the MTA work event of February 17, 2024.  In attendence were members Dave Nordling, Bill Inman, Bill Nelson, Osvaldo Tarditti and Joe Dominguez.  The society facilities manager, Dimitri Timohovich and our director of research, Rushd Julfiker also attended.

Dave Nordling and Bill Nelson assembled kitchen shelving units in the Bldg 14 office.  The society food stuffs and kitchenware were moved into the newly organized office. A desk and file cabinet are expected to arrive once suitable items can be found.

Osvaldo Tarditti worked on the shower in the restroom facility, Bldg 12

Dimitri moved the new diesel generator into the 10-foot locking container, newly designated “G2”.  Weld repair of the 60-foot launch rail structures began on Sunday, 2/18/2024.

Next work event is planned for March 2, 2024, to continue many of the same tasks.  American Artist and representatives of LACMA will be visiting the MTA on Thursday, March 7, 2024.  Keith Yoerg’s drone footage of the MTA in its most recent configuration was very helpful to the production team.

Next monthly meeting will be held March 8, 2024 as always on the second Friday of each month at the front office of the Compton/Woodley Airport.