Updates & Breaking News

Update:   March 3, 2008

It is a known fact by now that the December 17 Aurora Rocket Launch had to be postponed.  However, we remain on track, moving forward better than ever.

Due to many factors that were considered, GASG has decided on an alternate Aurora launch site.  We are planning to launch Aurora on October 4, 2008 in the Steeleville/Cuba, Missouri, area.  GASG is negotiating an alliance with the Steelville Chamber of Commerce.  Steelville is the geographic center of the USA, and Cuba is known as an unplanned landing spot for Amelia Earhart after leaving Belleville, Illinois, in 1924 during a cross country record attempt in an Avro airplane. 

GASG continues to test various rocket motors with various housings, fuels, and oxidizers.  Our goal from the beginning has been to work with hybrid fuel, and our experiments of the past several months have had the objective to search for the right combination.

The engine test on February 2 yielded the information we were looking for and we can now confidently proceed with the final version of the motor.  The objective of the most recent motor test was to obtain a steady flow of the oxidant and a steady burn of the fuel for at least 10-15 seconds, and to determine that it would have thrust to propel the motor along a tethered line.  Whereas the previous tests have been static tests, this was a dynamic test on an upward incline along a tethered line.  Ignition and introduction of the oxidant produced a perfect plume with both a steady flow and burn.  The propulsion thrust was more successful than hoped and the oxidant had to be stopped to eliminate the motor from being propelled into the next county!  Although the engine burned for only four seconds before extinguishing the oxidizer, the test was a resounding success.  After the Executive Director pulled the motor out of the snow, it was intact, warm to the touch but not hot, with no visible signs of damage or degradation.  After dissection of the motor, it was revealed that the nozzle had less than .03 inch deterioration and plenty of fuel left, which would have easily burned for the full 10-15 seconds anticipated.  There was no scorching or disfigurement of the motor body.  Review of the video tape in real time showed a perfect mach diamond plume and steady audio.  Frame by frame review revealed steady thrust.  We are now confident that this motor, clustered in multiples will successfully propel the Aurora rocket and ultimately the Astra satellite.

This current motor cost less than $10 to make and the Executive Director made three of them in less than a weekend.  This also coincides with GASG's mission of making space affordable and attainable.  We continue to test motors for consistency, chamber pressure, duration, and thrust. 

When those of us who are not rocket scientists think of the word "motor" or "engine," we envision a car engine with pistons and belts or a washing machine motor with moving parts and belts.  A rocket motor is not like that at all.  Instead, we need to think of motors and engines as a way to provide motion or propulsion.  A rocket motor will provide propulsion for the rocket.

When we hear the word "grain" we are accustomed to thinking about oats and wheat, or possible the pattern or design of a piece of cut wood.  When we refer to fuel grain in a rocket motor, it means the pattern or shape of the fuel.  The fuel grain we have been using in all GASG's rocket motors is a cored grain.  That is, it is solid around the outside with a hollow core, like a tube.  Some rockets have solid grain, which has no center core; some are C grain, which have an open slot down one side (so that the bird's eye view looks like a C).

Hybrids are much talked about in the news currently.  Hybrid cars will help the planet--hybrid fuels will keep the earth green.  Yet, most of us don't stop to think what that means to be a hybrid.  The dictionary says hybrid means:  an offspring of two plants or species of different varieties, something that is composed of diverse elements, heterogeneous.  We may have learned about plant grafting in grade school botany or science class.  A hybrid rose is a new variety made by mating two different varieties.  A hybrid car uses a combination of hydrocarbon fuel and electricity.  Most rocket motors are either liquid fuel & liquid oxidant or solid fuel & solid oxidant.  A hybrid is a mix.  We have been experimenting with liquid fuel and gaseous oxidant; solid fuel and liquid oxidant; and gaseous oxidant and solid fuel.  We think we have found the proper combination now. 

General Aviation Space Group now has State of Illinois approval to operate as a nonprofit organization.  Federal approval is pending.

GASG is in the process of forming an Advisory Board and we have added some talented people to the governing Board of Directors.  We are developing educational programs and lesson plans and activity days.  We are working with the Rockwood [Missouri] School District's Project Interface, which gives talented students real world experience in a potential career field, as well as provide a product or service that will benefit GASG.  We are in negotiations to develop a summertime Rocket Camp of extended aviation and space activities for students.

Please review the past updates by clicking on the buttons near the top of this page for a history of GASG's activities, especially if this is your first visit to this page.  We welcome all comments and suggestions, and we would welcome the opportunity to speak to your club or organization about General Aviation Space Group.