MTA Firing Event, 2022-11-12

by Jim Gross, Reaction Research Society


The RRS hosted the University of Southern California (USC) Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (RPL) from Friday, 11/11, to Sunday, 11/13/2022 for a static firing of their latest experimental class, solid propellant motor design, Firebiter. I was the pyrotechnic operator in charge with Keith Yoerg and Michael Rouleau apprenticing.

USC firing campaign logos keep getting better and better

Back in September, USC completed a series of test grain burns which gave valuable regression factors necessary for their full 6-inch scale solid motor.

Borrowing from painful past experiences, USC RPL under their team leader, Julia Woomer, found a good compromise between stability and performance as evidenced by their hotfire on Sunday just three minutes before noon.

USC RPL demonstrated a good motor at the RRS Mojave Test Area

The RRS has had a long successful relationship with USC for over a decade. USC will prepare another full-scale motor for flight soon.


November 2022 meeting

by Frank Miuccio, Vice President, RRS.ORG


The Reaction Research Society held its monthly meeting November 11, 2022, at 730pm, at the front office of the Compton/Woodley Airport. Others were able to join us by teleconference.

Agenda topics for the meeting were:

  1. Review of recent MTA/rocket events:
  2. Upcoming MTA events including bathroom work & USC static fire on 11/12/22
  3. 1-day welding class in Oceanside – who is interested?
  4. CALFIRE fee increases
  5. 2023 executive council nominations

Recent MTA/rocket events were reviewed including the November 5th work event on the restroom.

RRS has purchased a 20-foot high cube container that will be placec next to the new bathroom container which will be our new fire station which will house fire suppression equipment. It was suggested that we paint the container red or at least part of it red. The RRS also purchased a 35 GPM water pump with 1” hose and adapters and spray nozzles. An all-terrain vehicle for firefighting has been on our bucket list for awhile. We discussed current fire suppression tools including the pressurized water type fire extinguishers and shovels. It was recommended we do a fire training class at the MTA yearly so people know how to use the current and future solutions. We will need a volunteer to coordinate this effort.

Upcoming MTA events include the static fire event with USC RPL from Friday 11/11/2022 and into Saturday 11/12/2022. USC’s latest 6-inch vehicle, Firebiter, will be tested before committing to launch their next flight article later this year.

Bathroom work continues. There are a few items that still need to be installed such as some plumbing and connections to the infrastructure.

The RRS has found a skilled private individual, Jay Miller (and son), willing to teach a one-day welding class. The cost will be substantial but split among those who will attend. It is not common to find this kind of training on a weekend. Jay will have 3 rigs to divide among the students at their shop in Oceanside, CA. Metal welding samples of aluminum, carbon and stainless steels with filler material and plates to weld on will be provided as well as gases.

Carpooling is recommended once a firm date is set. People with interest need to confirm very soon.

CALFIRE is opening a public comment sessions for proposed fee increases which affecting our operations.

Pyrotechnic operator annual license fees for Rockets Classes 1, 2 and 3 from $50 to $100

Public Display licenses will increase from $200 to $350 annually.

RRS members will attend this meeting with CALFIRE in December. The RRS will produce a joint statement representing the society’s opposition to fee increases. It is unlikely we will be successful in dissuading the state fire marshal from increasing fees.

This topic also went to discussing the process to become a pyrotechnic operator and encouraged more people to begin the application process to become licensed. Frank said he will update people as he goes through the process. The hardest part is securing five letter of recommendation from licensed pyro-ops. After letters are ready, applicants need to be fingerprinted at Live Scan locations in California.

Cameron Kurtz spoke to the RRS about a solid motor project he was working on (he is in Texas). He was looking if anyone had data that he could use. John Krell and Michael Rouleau will be working with Cameron offline

2023 executive council nominations were held as we do at each November meeting. RRS member, Drew Cortopassi, was appointed as our election chairman. Drew will be sending out ballots to the administrative members and must receive them back before the December meeting. Nominees are listed below. All offices are running unopposed.

Secretary = Joel Cool-Panama

Treasurer = Larry Hoffing

Vice-President = Frank Miuccio

President = Dave Nording

Straw rockets and air rockets were discussed. They are very simple and popular tools used in our educational programs. Frank showed the launchers used for the classes to launch them. Frank also showed examples of straw rockets and air rockets.

On straw rockets, the process of the nose cones was discussed. First phase starts with molded clay. Second phase was foam ear plugs. Third phase was rubber end caps (bolt caps cover). This latest version has improved the launch. Frank also discussed what students learn from the activities.

Next meeting will be December 9, 2022. Meetings are always held on the 2nd Friday of each month.


MTA work event, 2022-11-05

by Dimitri Timohovich, Reaction Research Society


We had another great work party at the MTA this weekend. Primary focus was getting the fixtures attached to the walls and start attaching plumbing to them. A HUGE thank you to Osvaldo Tarditti, Waldo Stakes, and Joe Dominguez for taking time on Saturday to help out. 

Dave Nordling met with representatives from Arbor Energy for potential use of the MTA at a later date. He was also joined by his wife Kathleen, who came out for the quick day trip. 

Waldo brought hot dogs, drinks, and chips; and I brought burger fixings. We had a nice BBQ lunch and the folks from Arbor Energy also partook. 

We enjoyed calm weather till about 3pm when the winds kicked in, so we finished up what we could and most headed home. I spent the night and took care of a few more things Sunday morning, but the winds were not letting up. I was able to add more water to the storage tanks on top of the bathroom, and we have about 1400 gallons stored so far. 

Look forward to seeing more members coming out to help next month.

Fixtures hung and mostly plumbed in the big bathroom.

Fixtures being worked on in the smaller bathroom.

New “Fire House” container for the MTA. This will house the Kawasaki Mule and trailer with an IBC and water pump.

Roughly 700 gallons of water in each storage tank.