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Propulsion Card Storming¶

Covers fuel & oxidizer storage, injector, combustion chamber, nozzle, and anything necessary to keep those items “stable”

Unsorted list of ideas¶

• Indoor test stand for testing a compressed air cold gas thruster
  • test stands don't seem to be mentioned anywhere specifically
  • probably fine just cuz it's so low power anyway
• 3D printed cold gas thruster for use on an indoor test stand
  • hard to picture how this is anything other than a pneumatic valve
  • maybe pneumatic valves are controlled if they have a certain capacity
• staging hobby and high-powered rocket motors
  • the federal stuff doesn't cover this size rockets
  • I haven't seen the relevant regs yet
• develop a series of larger test stands scaled around the classes of model and high powered rocketry certifications
  • see first test stand comment above
• recreate Greg's undergrad sugar hybrid motor
  • probably fine since it's probably equivalent to a class project
• upgrade Mach 30 test stand DAQ to include high speed video
  • I doubt anyone cares about high speed video
• develop Arduino (or similar) model rocket launch controller board (including physical safety lock)
  • model rockets are okay
• upgrade Mach 30 test stand DAQ to work over ethernet to extend operational range between operators and test stand
  • fine. actually probably encouraged for safety reasons
• series of courses/kits to take users through high powered rocketry certs (required to purchase high powered motors)
  • fine, and also probably encouraged
• Learn about and be comfortable using Reloadable rocket motors
  • should be fine as long as it's model/high-powered
• Distributed laboratory software
  • too vague
• Re-lightable motors, turn off and back on (means hybrid, or liquid engine, but not solid)
  • certain fuels are controlled
  • The MTCR Item 3 Cat II covers hybrid rocket motors, but the MTCR covers f**king everything associated with rockets anyway
• Ramp up test stand prototypes by increments of High-power certification levels
  • each one would be considered individually
• Storage and handling of cryogenic liquids?
  • I don't see that anywhere, but I could have missed it
  • the CCL seems to list cryogenic parts if they are used to refine uranium, so there's that
• Simulation, analysis, design and testing of cooling systems (for combustion chamber, nozzle, and throat)
  • not sure if it's controlled on its own, but since it's inseparable from the motors it's probably wrapped up there
• Variable nozzle designs
  • who's idea was this? Oh, right, mine. Just ignore this one :)
• Flow visualization
• Nozzle comparison (Aerospike to traditional designs)
• Injector design (fuel and/or oxidizer) to maximize combustion efficiency
• Research Test stand configurations (vertical in addition to horizontal)
• Survey the existing instructions and informational materials for building engines and motors.
• Move from testing commercial off-the-shelf items (motors and engines) to building and testing custom built items.
• Address Instrumentation: how to collect data on motor tests.
• Material and manufacturing techniques for nozzles (3-D printed)
• Open source software altitude and flight profiles - Performance calculations
• Study fuel grain design (parameters) to optimize burn profile
• Logistics, procedures, and infrastructure for Pay-for-testing, using Mach 30 equipment (income generation)
• 3-D printed fuel grains
• Research additional income streams RE: Propulsion (educational kits, grants, etc) - We can add this to all subsystems?
• Linear aerospike studies
• Combustion chemistry, develop open source software tools (NOTE: See NASA CEA)
• Environmental simulation and testing (expanding flight envelope)
• High operations tempo, flight rate motors.
• Non-chemical propulsion (however this is low TRL/maturity)
• Developing refueling ground equipment “on the tarmac”
• Focus on maintainability, ease of operations.
• Procedures and equipment for “mode 2 operations” for simulation and testing
• Focus on safety procedures (not just during tests).
• Operational Countdown Checklist as it relates to the propulsion engine test checklist procedures.
• Develop a cultural delineation between “Operations or Test staff” and “Design staff” -- Maybe eventually specialize into 3 groups
• Handbook for stakeholder collaboration (state, local, federal agencies and regulations)
• Rules of thumb for Launch/test site size space, in handbook form.
• Develop relationships with potential test sites
• Acoustic, Vibration, Acceleration simulation and testing.
• Procedures to optimize, advertize, public viewing and interaction SAFELY.
• Remote viewing (Cameras for online streaming video streaming) to maximize audience.
• Rocket exhaust plume studies (morse code??)
• Ground operations communications equip and procedures.
• Disaster recovery plan for catastrophic mishap.
• Procurement/development of transportation and handling equipment for stands and motors (flatbed trailers, etc)