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Date

Propellant

Result
7/1/23Baja Blast

5 test motors integrated: 2 successful fires, 1 failure (igniter lodged itself inside the small nozzle opening), 1 didn't ignite (igniter was well at the bottom but the motor, 1 not attempted (nozzle was smaller than the failed motor, so even higher risk of repeating failure). Unfortunately, we couldn't use this data due to our pressure numbers for static fire being lower than expected (to the point that it's an issue). Likely issue was due to our load cell because hydrosttic test was successful (so no leaks).

7/15/23Baja Blast

Static fire cancelled due to thunderstorms all day

7/29Baja Blast

Two successful fires, but both motors had leaks, leading to substantial pressure loss. Location of leaks weren't clear until de-integration: the braces pushed the nozzle away from the carrier by a few thousandths, destroying the RTV seal.

Decisions after this static fire: create new formulation for next characterization fire, and remove converging section of nozzle (make it a graphite puck).

8/29Blue Voltage

5 test motors prepared, all successfully fired. Pressures are within good operating range (Nozzle A - 1779 psi, Nozzle E - 1249 psi, Nozzle I - 1283 psi, Nozzle, N - 808 psi, Nozzle S - 684 psi 

Interesting observations about all motors:

  • minimal slag (not enough to make full rings on any motors)
  • nozzles weren't flush against forward retention ring (FRR) bolts before firing, but were flush after firing. All but nozzle E had O-rings pushed out around part of the nozzle that sheared
  • nozzles had signs of cracking around them, with nozzle N shattering entirelyimg_7511.jpg
   

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