Ground Testing
Purposes:
Provides practice for integration
Identifies structural weaknesses in parts (could also suggest too much force being used)
Evaluating effectiveness of shear pins (shear pins may need to be reduced if too much force is being used and damaging hardware)
Identify leaks in a bay (failure to pressurize)
Materials:
Safety glasses and other necessary PPE
Two stands (can be made out of PVC)
All hardware
Long stretch of wire and a battery or wireless control
Black powder
Soft Goods
Safety Procedures:
Ground Test Safety Plan: https://wikis.mit.edu/confluence/download/attachments/127547210/RT%20-%20April%202018%20Ground%20Test%20Plan.docx?version=1&modificationDate=1523569561000&api=v2
Designated Safety Officer
Contact the Athletic Department about reserving sports field (Briggs Field often used in past tests)
Field must be soft and grassy, not dry (protect against fire risk)
Nobody allowed within 25 foot distance, visibly mark off
Everyone must wear appropriate PPE (including safety goggles)
Call MIT police non-emergency number prior to test (6172532996)
Leave pyrotechnics uninstalled before arrival to field
Give countdown before firing
If misfire occurs, wait 60 seconds before approaching
Must get safety plan reviewed by MIT EHS and MIT Athletics
Setup:
Integrate the rocket by following integration procedures (make sure to install pyrotechnics on field)
Use either a long stretch of wire and a battery or wireless control to ignite charges in the correct order (for AltOs setup: https://altusmetrum.org/AltOS/doc/altusmetrum.html)
Suggested (take a video of firing)