Category Archives: Work Event

MTA work event, 2023-03-03

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Dimitri Timohovich, RRS.ORG

Last weekend saw a big dent put into the bathroom project. On Friday, 3/3/23, I was able to install the 2 remaining pass-throughs, one for the water to enter the container and one to serve as part of the shower drainage.

Clean cut window and a look from the inside
Supply header pass-through in place.

I was able to also attach the main drainage line to the outside drainage line and set up to connect the shower drainage to the main line.

Saturday, 3/4/23, started out with nice weather and I was able to connect the water line from the pass through and run it to the pump area.  More PEX lines were run and a manifold was made for a bypass incase of pump failure.  Final attachments will need to be made.

Dave showed up just in time for the wind to pick up.  Meanwhile, I started to tie in the electrical and build a small control box with a main switch and voltmeter.  Unfortunately, Dave couldn’t stay long and after lunch I went back to more electrical work.  Meanwhile, the weather kept getting worse.  

Sunday, 3/5/23, was cold, very windy, and with scattered showers, so I packed up early and headed back to town.

Next event is coming soon. Progress and next steps to be discussed at the March 10th monthly meeting.

New plumbing feedthroughs
Voltmeter installed for checking battery health.

We are getting close to having the restroom become operational. We hope the weather continues to be favorable.

MTA work and launch event, 2023-02-19

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by Dimitri Timohovich, RRS.ORG

The RRS met at the Mojave Test Area from Sunday, February 19, through Tuesday, February 21st, primarily to continue working on the restroom. We also got a launch or two off on Sunday thanks to Keith Yoerg.

Returning rocket to the MTA courtesy of favorable winds

Here is a basic recap of what was done and what needs to be finished to get the bathroom up to working order.

On Sunday, 2/19/2023, Keith and I installed 5 of the 6 unistrut segments on top of the Dosa building. The last piece was accidentally left behind and will be installed on the next trip out. Dave Nordling assisted with installing the lighting in both bathrooms which were tested. 4-hour mechanical timer switches were used to avoid wasting power.

Dave Nordling also cleared brush in the western part of the MTA property that day.

Mechanical timer switches used in both restrooms.
Dual LED panels from recreational vehicles provide excellent low-power lighting.
Good quality light from just two panels.

On Monday, 2/20/2023, I welded and installed the four-inch sewage drain passthrough and attached the sewage drain line to the passthrough. I started welding the other two passthroughs.

On Tuesday, 2/21/2023, I continued welding passthroughs until the wind came up and had to stop. From there, I continued installing the water intake line on top of the container and continued hooking up Pex pipes inside the container.

What’s next will be finishing the 4-inch drain line and starting the 2-inch drain line in the ground. The 2-inch passthrough must be welded in to the container wall. Attachment of the intake water line to it’s passthrough will follow, then attaching the water line from passthrough to water pump. We must also finish attaching the water lines from the pump to all fixtures.

We will temporarily attach the water pump to battery power and test the lines. This will get the bathroom to interim working status which is a major goal of the project. The date of the next work event is not known at this time but will be coming very soon.

MTA work event, 2023-02-08

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by Bill Claybaugh, RRS.ORG

The first elements of the new launch rail were brought to the RRS MTA from Colorado. This included the base, modular guide rail and the hydraulic lift system.

Unpacking upon arrival at the RRS MTA
Base mount sitting on the new pad, anchors being made ready

More work to the mounting (bolts) and changes to the hydraulic lift fluid system was necessary. A list of items and tasks were generated for later completion. At this time, the launch rail is not ready for use. Also, the design does not allow the rocket to be mounted and lifted from the horizontal position. The rocket is loaded vertically and attached to the rails by a pair of bellybands similar to the previous launch.

Partial deployment of the new launch rail system, more work required

Launch preparations including mixing, pouring and casting will take place in late April this year as planned. Completing the new launch rail will be added going forward.

Thanks to Joe Dominguez and Rushd Julfiker for their assistance.