SUGAR SHOT TO SPACE SUCCESSFUL FIRING

The Sugar shot to Space project had a much needed successful firing this past weekend.  After the spectacular CATO of the impressive DoubleSShot motor nearly one year ago there was a lot of discussion and investigation into what exactly happened and why.  This test represents the first in a series that will lead SStS to the successful firing of one of the largest amateur motors of all time.  Certainly the largest "Sugar" motor of all time.
Congratulations to Rick Maschek, Paul Avery, and Richard Nakka for their dedication and perseverance, as well as the many other numerous volunteers that have contributed to the project.

SStS, CSD UPDATE



Chamber Separation Disk (CSD) in the Mid-Bulkhead

I completed the modifications to the MBH ,CSD, and plug recently.  The entire DSS TM-1-2 test motor is now with another project member undergoing hydrostatic testing. There seems to be a lot of mixed feelings about this approach, I'm just hoping it works.  Hopefully the testing goes well and we can get to a test firing soon. 

SStS Motor Work Update

I've nearly completed the work on the MidBulkHead modifications, all I have left to do is to countersink the 24 holes on the outside edge.  This draft of the motor design shows how the CSD or disk is held by the MBH.

Sugar Shot motor work

I've begun work on modifying some existing hardware for a new SStS motor. This design will incorporate a new non-pyrotechnic device to separate the two motor chambers.  In theory the Chamber Separator Disk has a number of benefits over the pyrotechnic "plug".  This document explains the concept and you can see some of the analysis  that Ben Brockert has been working on here.  Pretty simple in theory.  This newest motor will also feature a return to the Bates grain configuration.  For more info on this motor and other recent updates, please check the Sugar Shot weekly activity reports located at the top of this page.

This is the modified MidBulkhead showing the area that the CSD will be retained.

I've begun indexing the new screw locations and will then have to drill and tap them before moving to the next task which is modify the existing motor casing.

TR-1 motor casing

The summer has been busy so there hasn't been a lot of Rocketry getting done.  I have been working on a test rig for the SStS program that will be used to test tensile strength of propellant which will have varies additives designed to increase its strength.  This is a pretty interesting idea and the results could help open up some new possabilites for sugar based propellants.  The TR-1 rocket motor hasn't moved forward much, but I have gotten the 4" EMT (seen above) for the motor casing.   I'm hoping to be able to start construction of that motor in earnest soon.

Hermes Solid Rocket Motor

I bought number of Thiokol publicity/advertising brochures on ebay a while ago. There are a lot of interesting photos including the one above that shows Harold W. Richey posing with the "milestone" Hermes rocket motor which was fired in December of 1951. In that firing the motor fired for 41.2 seconds and produced 17,172 lbs of thrust. Fourteen months later it went on to successfully power the RV-A-10 rocket from Cape Canaveral. The Hermes is credited with validating the concept of large solid fuel motors. There is also a series of photos that show the process of prepping and loading the shuttle SRM's that I'll post later.

SStS Test Parts Finished

I finished the test parts that I was working on and Rick picked them up yesterday afternoon.  He and Paul were going attempt the first test this weekend.  I was scrambling to get the parts done in time for this weekend, the steel bulkhead took a bit more time than anticipated, but hopefully the parts serve their purpose well. 
Here I'm tapping the steel bulkhead:

I was starting the tap in the v-block on the drill press to get it started straight then laying it flat to get a good enough grip on it to turn the tap.  The whole process of tapping the bulkheads took longer than I was expecting, but when you're tapping or threading it's definitely best not to rush.

Here are the finished parts: