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7/16/2023

Research into System We will research system changes if we change the Helios oxidizer from LOX to something else, so that we can maybe transport it ourselves with EHS approval.
 Points of interest:
  • Handling safety
  • Changes to safety procedures
  • Any necessary feed system changes?
  • Injector interactions (how does gas work?)
  • Change in pressurization
  • Burn time and chemistry, performance
  • anything else that is interesting

7/

...

26/2023 Wed

Goals:

  1. Discuss NOX research findings

We are considering using NOX instead of LOX in the case that we cannot transport LOX to the testing site. It seems that even though NOX is less dense than LOX (it's gaseous) the pressure drop with NOX is higher (the Manual valve has a lower flow coeff), potentially meaning lower thrust. We found that our system is compatible with NOX with some minor changes, such as finding the right starting pressure for the N2 pressure tanks. Overall, our inital research indicates it would be less effective.

AlsoNOX is also safer to use, the whole reason why we would consider NOX is becuase it's less dangeous (non cryogenic and wouldn't fill a room if opened). We would be able to transport NOX without EHS approval. NOX is also ~$400 per bottle, where LOX is ~$20~$200.

The abillity of gaseous NOX to mix with Ethanol (in comparison to LOX) was not researched yet.

 

7/30/2023 Sun

Points of interest from meeting:

  • We have secured a testing location with bluShift Aerospace to let us use their testing infrastructure with the condition that we get their consult for engineering and safety procedures.
  • Updates for the oxidizer substitution, we would expect lower performance after switching to GOX/N20. However since we now have bluShift, changing this is not required for Helios/Romulus thankfully. However it's still useful information going into Spaceport design.
  • Onboarding: we need to do some work and make decisions about how we want to approach and structure onboarding curriculum for fall semester. This is especially important because we need to efficiently onboard people while maintaining engagement to retain people for spaceport. Also becuase our schedule is very ambitious overall and more people will help.