by Keith Yoerg (RRS Secretary)
The latest meeting of the Reaction Research Society took place Friday, August 13th and had 12 attendees who came and went, including a prospective student member. We had a lot of topics to discuss and some members had to leave early so we got right down to society business from the start of the meeting.
YOUTH ROCKETRY CLASS PLANNING & UPDATES
The RRS starting to plan for youth outreach classes – which have been on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, due to the delta variant the LAPD classes that were being planned for September at the Strive learning center have been postponed. However, it looks like we are on track to begin classes with the Boyle Heights YMCA after labor day.
This class is expected to have up to 60 students – which will be split into 2 groups that will attend every other Friday at 4pm on a rotating schedule. The current plan is to hold 5 classes per group, which means the program will run for 10 straight weeks. Any RRS member interested in helping during these classes will be required to complete a LiveScan background check. Please contact Frank at vicepresident@rrs.org for more details if interested.
The current plan is for each student to build their own “Baby Bertha” model rocket manufactured by Estes. The EC is currently organizing logistics to allow each student an opportunity to fly their rocket twice (assuming the first launch is successful, of course!) at our MTA site in late October or early November. In addition, we are looking at the instructors building a high power rocket in tandem to show the similarities and differences between the construction methods. A demonstration flight of the high power rocket would be held on the same day as the model rocket flights, to give the kids a sense of what a more powerful flight would look like.
Discussion at the meeting included ideas around fast-drying non-toxic glue options for the model rockets, 3D printed fin alignment jigs to ensure arrow-straight flights of the kits, and logistics around the launch day like adding more low-power launch pad capabilities to the MTA site. We may also try to add an onboard camera to the high power kit to show the students a view of the ground falling away from onboard the rocket!
PERMANENT BATHROOM & OTHER MTA UPGRADES
Progress is continuing on the permanent RRS Bathroom structure. Work on cutting holes for doors and windows has been completed on the 20-foot shipping container and delivery is expected imminently to the new work site at Wilbur’s hangar. The next stages of construction including adding plumbing, fixtures, and the doors and windows.
RRS president Osvaldo informed the membership that he purchased a forklift attachment for the backhoe that is stationed in the Mojave desert – which will be a great help with moving tanks and other heavy items that are often required for liquid rocket tests at the MTA. Members also discussed upgrading the launch structures at the site, including an idea for an adapter to allow Alpha and Beta micrograin rockets to use the same rail system and moving over the large launch tower from the “graveyard” on the northern end of the MTA to a more permanent & upright location.
AUGUST MTA LAUNCH EVENTS
After a short review of the July MTA events (writeups by Dave Nordling can be found here and here), members were briefed on the “long campaign” work that is underway by the University of Michigan rocket club “MASA” this month. While typical events at our desert site last only 1-2 days, this campaign is expected to run for 10 or even https://www.socalstairlifts.com/ambien-zolpidem-online 14 days total. The exact length of time that they will be at the site depends on how quickly they are able to meet their objectives.
The ultimate goal of the campaign is to conduct a static, hot fire of their 2,500 lbf (10s total impulse) liquid rocket engine. The engine runs on RP-1 and LOX, and utilizes liquid nitrogen and helium as pressurants. Several RRS members and Pryotechnic Operators have generously volunteered their time on both weekdays and weekends to assist the student team in meeting their goals. A writeup of the events will be posted to this site after the testing.
OSVALDO’S MICROGRAIN ROCKET AVIONICS
RRS president Osvaldo Tarditti provided a show-and-tell of his screw type avionics switch, a very clever xanax over the counter way to activate onboard rocket electronics when space is at a premium. This is certainly the case in the RRS Alpha and Beta micrograin rockets – which this switch was designed for. The basic mechanism uses 2 sets of electrically separated nuts with wire leads soldered on, which are epoxied to a bulkhead and affixed to the inside of the rocket’s nosecone.
When a screw is inserted – the circuit is completed between the nuts and the attached electronics turn on. With proper placement of the bulkhead and a hole drilled in the nosecone, this screw can be installed from the outside of the rocket just prior to launch.
Osvaldo completed the avionics package with a mercury switch and a cheap timing circuit board with multiple programming options. When placed together and activated on the launch pad, the mercury switch is jostled during launch which starts the countdown on the timing circuit board. When pre-programmed with the proper timing delay, the timing board countdown will coincide with the apogee of the rocket’s flight path and deploy a parachute. The hope is cheap stromectol that this will allow for a more consistent recovery of Alpha & Beta rockets after launches.
CESARONI TECHNOLOGY / CESARONI AEROSPACE
Late in the meeting we were joined by RRS member and rocketry entrepreneur Anthony Cesaroni, who told members more about his companies and the time he spent at the MTA back in the 90s. With locations in Toronto, Florida, and Spaceport America (New Mexico) Anthony’s companies are major players in munitions, solid rocket motors, and even liquid engine components for Virgin Galactic. Among the major projects underway currently is a full 4-stage orbital vehicle, with hopes of full launches from Wallops and Kennedy Space Center in the 2023/2024 timeframe. Members were very excited welcome Anthony back into the fold and hear about the great work his companies are doing.
RRS WEBSITE UPDATES
The final topic of the evening was regarding updates to this website. The general consensus among members was that it is time for a fresh look and modernization to the website, and there was a robust discussion of the different avenues (and associated prices) that could be pursued. Anyone interested in helping to make this a reality can contact RRS secretary Keith at secretary@rrs.org.
NEXT MONTHLY MEETING
The next RRS monthly meeting will be held virtually on Friday, August 11th at 7:30 pm pacific time. Current members will receive an invite via e-mail the week of the meeting. Non-members (or members who have not received recent invites) can request an invitation by sending an email to:
secretary@rrs.org
Please check your spam folders and add secretary@rrs.org to your email whitelist to make sure you receive the invitation.