Sugar Shot to Space did its first static test of the DoubleSShot booster, a 100,000+ Newton second Q-motor. The aft section ignited and came up to pressure for a nominal burn of just over a second before the motor suffered a CATO near the mid bulkhead. We are currently investigating the cause of the anomaly. Video from two of the five video cams recording the event came be seen at the following website

We will post additional information as it becomes available at sugarshot.org

While a definite set back, we are still pursuing our goal of a sub=orbital flight powered by sugar. With the success of this project, I plan on continuing with a sugar booster powering an N=Prize attempt.

We had a similar 'anomaly' with our second test of a DoubleSShot motor.



We have worked on two different 'sugar' propellants that show some promise if the anomalies prove to be propellant related.
Work has already started on replacement test motors...we won't give up, that would be too easy.

This past weekend we successfully fired our 6" DSS TM-1, a short version or DSS motor that has been plagued with CATOs. A few changes solved that problem and we are now back on track...who said getting into space was easy? Here is a video of the test and as always, everything we do is posted on our website.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykLyrmrDKg8

Rick

On the heals of a successful DSS TM-1 test we had a setback with our DSS TM-2. Same basic motor as the TM-1 with the addition of a Delrin mid bulkhead and a forward motor section.The dual pulse motor design has given us trouble from the outset and it may now be time for a change in direction with a 2-stage rocket to reach a sub orbital ballistic flight. Sims show sugar can reach orbit with a five stage rocket.



Rick

Second test at the FAR site of our new Double D grain design...burn through towards the end of the test (expected that might happen).

Going to FAR today to work on LOX/kerosene motor test then tomorrow on the APCP sustainer.

Rick

I haven't posted any updates because I have been very busy with projects. We had 3 out of 3 successful sugar motor firings this month (the most ever in a single month). We are planning on static testing the booster for our first ever 2-stage sugar powered rocket next month. Here is a video from the FAR site with our Double D grain motor test...we are still in development work of this grain design (coreless) and doing Bates grains for the 2-stage.



Several possible reasons for Randy's CATO were tossed around but it wasn't until we discovered something the next morning that we found the cause.

Some friends with a rival sugar (sorbitol) project from DARE are planning to launch to 50km next week, I wish them success!



I'm leaving in a few hours with a team of students I'm mentoring from Citrus College to the USC Rocket Research Lab on a 'field trip', should be fun ( :

Rick

Excellent video, as always Rick. Randy's burn looked very strange from start to finish. What was the mysterious discovery?

The infernally insolent "View active topics" link is once again ignoring your post. Probably best not to take it personally.

Jay

Nothing 'mysterious', one of the things discussed was using monohydrate dextrose and if the propellant had been 'cooked' enough to drive off the water out of the propellant. An extra grain had been cast and the next morning, it showed severe slumping (the core was completely closed). It is now thought the motor sitting in the sun out on the test stand heated up enough where it had slumped somewhat closing off the core.

Rick

Sounds like a good idea to always have an extra grain for comparison! NASA makes duplicates of almost everything they test for just such circumstances, but then again they are working with a slightly larger budget.

Jay

When doing large grains, I always pour a small 29mm size sample grain from the propellant batch of EVERY large grain. Besides taking measurements of the grains themselves to calculate their density, these are available should the need arises to check specs of the grains...I also make a burn strand for each grain with the propellant left over.

Rick