Static Fire Test of 500 lbf Thrust-Class
LOX/Propylene Engine conducted on March 6, 2004
The CALVEIN team conducted
a static fire test of a 500 lbf-class rocket engine using LOX
and propylene as propellants on Sat. March 6 at the
Mojave Test Area. Propylene is being considered because it offers slightly
higher ISP than RP-1, can be cryogenically chilled to get approximately
the same density as kerosene, and is more environmentally friendly
as well as more easily available than RP-1.
Approx.1 second after ignition (Photo by Eric Besnard)
This initial LOX/propylene
test validated propylene handling and loading procedures under ambient
temperatures and helped assess the ability of low-cost ablative chambers
to handle the higher combustion temperatures of LOX/propylene (approx.
500 K higher than LOX/ethanol or LOX/LH2). Two 8-second
static fire tests were conducted:
In addition to propulsion,
the team also utilized improved command and data acquisition techniques
which were originally developed for the Prospector-3 vehicle.
Such test validation is
an important risk mitigation milestone for several technologies and
capabilities that have been baselined for the Nanosat Launch Vehicle
(NLV) concept being jointly developed by Garvey Spacecraft Corporation
and CSULB. This NLV would be capable of delivering a 10 kg spacecraft
to LEO.
Preliminary plans now call
for an iteration of the pintle injector, followed by another static
fire test to come as soon as we can schedule time again out at the
MTA.
In parallel, we are now
incorporating lessons learned from the software and EGSE back into
the Prospector 3 effort. Most significantly, the ability to monitor
gyro and accel trend data in real-time using new operator client software
should greatly enhance development activities.
And finally, work is continuing
with CSULB students who are developing a full-scale mockup of the proposed NLV this spring.
In addition to the CALVEIN
static fire test, the San Diego State University / Flometrics team
also conducted the launch of their large LOX/kerosene Phoenix.
Close-ups during the burn (Photo & Copyright by K. Mark Caviezel, March 2004)
Special thanks
In addition to the "regulars" (mentors
John Engberg, David Garza, Dave McCue, Mike Novratil, Chuck Castillo
and Mark Holthaus), the CALVEIN team would also like to recognize the
following individuals who, through their support, made this test a
success. First , K. Mark Caviezel who suggested the use of propylene
in Dec.2003 after conducting a NASA SBIR on the topic. He was instrumental
in providing insight related to its handling and use and even flew
from Colorado to attend the static test. Also, thank you to the Flometrics/SDSU
for handling the LOX logistics and to Dave Crisalli, President of the
RRS, for giving the CALVEIN team access to the MTA and overseeing test
operations.
For additional information about
either the CALVEIN project and/or the cooperative program between
CSULB and Garvey Spacecraft Corporation, please contact the following
project representatives:
