Fredericksburg high school's aeroscience program (fhsap) has been challenged by three factors which limit its potential for replication and dissemination - nozzle and fuel grain fabrication and the…

Fredericksburg high school's aeroscience program (fhsap) has been challenged by three factors which limit its potential for replication and dissemination - nozzle and fuel grain fabrication and the availability of a portable launch tower. A JSC grant (number NNJ04VC15G) awarded in april 2004 has allowed research towards alternative fuel grain and nozzle materials for educational application. Six preliminary static tests were conducted in 2004; the data collected reflected a low oxidizer mass flow rate throughout the system. After reviewing the data and system, IT was concluded that the multiple orifices on the feed system were not providing the necessary mass flow rate. Also, the diameter differences throughout the oxidizer feed system caused cavitations, resulting in insufficient oxidizer flow. To correct the problem, new tanks and valves were purchased and hoses became uniform in diameter. Testing is still underway to complete the proposed research. By the end of the research period, fhsap will have completed 24 tests encompassing four alternative fuels and five alternative nozzle materials. This grant renewal is requesting funding to complete the research phase to find affordable and effective materials that can be utilized safely in a public education environment. Specifically, this grant renewal is for a launch tower and to cover the launch support fee at white sands missile range (wsmr). Six tests were performed to analyze the performance of various nozzle/fuel grain combinations. These tests revealed critical information regarding the oxidizer flow system hardware and its performance. During the tests, a "dirty burn" was noticed and a low oxidizer flow rate was suspected. Upon investigation, calculations were reviewed, cold-flow tests were performed, and IT was found that the inner diameter of the oxidizer feed hoses were not consistent. This caused pressure differences and cavitations resulting in the confirmation of a low oxidizer flow. A new oxidizer tank, new hoses, a new solenoid, and some simple modifications were applied to fix the mass flow rate problem. The solenoid, a 1-inch piloted solenoid donated by moog, was sufficient for the proper oxidizer mass flow rate. Results from these preliminary tests prompted several additional modifications to the test facility to provide more research capabilities and enable better data acquisition. These modifications included four more cameras being installed to record the test, bringing the total number of cameras to eight, so the capabilities exist to review the recordings and see any anomalies experienced during the testing. Presently, work is in progress to have a real-time digital camera feed to a computer that records the burn in-sync with the pressure transducers and time, so any anomalies concerning instability, pressure spikes, or hardware failure can be located in the data. These modifications will further enhance the testing process and better enable abilities to evaluate the data results.