Blog

Boron igniter test (0.5gram)

Successful test of a 12 point star core APCP motor. Relative flat thrust curve due to limited erosive burning and progressive geometry.

Because of the rain fall, a plastic bag was positioned over the nozzle.

Nero supported the rocket team of Inholland Delft, resulting in a successful launch and recovery of their Aquilo rocket. Congratulations guys for setting your new record to 2132 meters.

A second finocyl monolytic fuel grain was tested. New composition BDO propellant without zinc, motor hardware identical. Due to a mishap with the AD converter, only an optical analysis could be performed to compare the September and October test.

Successful afternoon, testing 3 APCP motors within an hour. A 3kNs 2 grain (LD), a 11kNs moonburner (JvdB), and a 11kNs 4 star finocyl motor (LD and JvdB).

Motor 1 thrust curve

Motor 3 thrust curve

To facilitate the casting of monolithic grains, the shaker platform was upgraded. For this a vibrating fitness machine was converted to a shaker, accomodating grains up to 1 meter.

Higher Kn (380) and 1% RIO to enhance burn rate.

Thrust curves of RIO propellant at Kn380 vs Slow White Kn 233. Burn time 6.8s vs 9.8s. Total impuls 2816Ns vs 3200Ns. ISP 187 vs 200.

drone footage by Spartaqs

Test with low Kn (200-233), burn time 9.8s

Slow white APCP propellant was prepared in a vacuum mixer. Density achieved was 1.68. Not too far from the theoretical 1.72.