Tag Archives: USC RPL

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.

August 2022 monthly meeting

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by Keith Yoerg, Secretary, Reaction Research Society

The RRS held its monthly meeting on Friday, August 12, 2022, by teleconference accutane starting 7:30pm. The agenda was below.

  1. Review of recent MTA/rocket events, reports are posted on the website
    • 7/9 & 7/16: Work parties at MTA to install bathroom container (video Keith made of the delivery with the drone)
    • 7/21: Aerospace Ccorporation intern launch event
    • 7/25-7/31: Michigan liquid engine hot fire test campaign
  2. Upcoming MTA events
    • Bathroom work to continue in September
    • Other planned events are
      • USC RPL pad work
      • USC propellant sample testing
      • and a USC RPL static fire
      • Bill Claybaugh is preparing a ambien new pad for launching heavier rockets from the MTA
      • Bill Ca;ybaugh will launch his six-inch rocket from a new rail launcher
  3. Social media milestone reached: 1,000 Instagram followers
  4. Preferences for future monthly meetings:
    • Monthly in-person (w/ zoom option) is something desired by many
    • In-person 4x per year (zoom other months), some supported the idea, other thought it may be confusing
    • Other ideas included meeting at a new location at the Compton Airport front office
  5. Other items addressed by the Executive Council this month:
    • Looking into society workshop/workspace at the Compton airport
    • Addition of more/semi-permanent high power launch pads
    • RRS membership has surpassed 2021 levels
    • Progress still being made on website update, hope to show something next month

Our next meeting will be September 9th. Contact the RRS secretary for details.

The Reaction Research Society reaches a milestone in our social media campaign.