CPG Aeronautics….

Production on multiple Artemis mid-power boosters has begun!  The second Artemis booster (orange) is in its final phases of completion while a third one is under construction.

Artemis booster # 3 (foreground) under construction. Artemis booster #2 (orange) - later designated as booster 3- nearing completion. In the background (red & silver) is Artemis booster #1

There will be a total of four boosters built, three of which will be in regular service while the first one, which made its first flights on March 27th, will see limited use, and will be used primarily to test payload sections to be used later this summer.

Flight tests for the second Artemis booster are scheduled for April 24 2010, weather permitting.

First flight test results

Results from the first flight tests of the Artemis booster shows the booster coming through mostly fine, though a closer inspection revealed some buckling if the “stuffer tube” which holds the first half of the ejection baffle.  This could have occurred during the first launch where part of the experimental motor mount system failed – though it did not pose any problem to the flight other than the motor being ejected shortly after parachute deployment.

Changes were made to the design of the newer Artemis boosters under construction to correct for this issue.

–(((( ))))–

(Cuyahoga Falls – Friday, March 26, 2010)

Static ground tests of the Artemis Booster were successful.  After a one day delay due to a short blast of winter weather, we managed to perform the static ground tests of the Artemis booster under rocket power.  The purpose of the tests was to test the ejection baffle system to ensure proper operation.

Static test #2 underway.

Halfway through the thrust phase

Two tests were performed under close full power using E-9 rocket motors.  This would test the baffle system under close to the most strenuous motor that will be used in the booster.  The ejection system performed flawlessly during both tests, clearing the Artemis for its first flight tests Saturday, March 27th.

A low-cost plastic parachute was used to ensure that no hot particles made their way into the (silver) parachute bay.  If so, the parachute would instantly melt under the heat.  The parachute survived in “good as new” condition after the test.

Ejection charge fires, releasing the nose cone & parachute

Test #2 completed, and the orange parachute is deployed.

Another purpose of the test was to ensure our customized built-in baffle system would survive being bathed in hot gasses and molten particles of the black powder ejection charge.  The system survived the ordeal.  Tests conclude the system is good for two consecutive flights – after that, cleaning and replacement of the aluminum heat shield material is required before additional flights can be performed.

We are looking into high temperature epoxies to coat the outer baffle walls to eliminate this restriction on future flights.  The inner baffle appears to be in really good condition.

The inner baffle showing the dark patches where the hot gasses were deflected by the outer wall.

Our next report will be after tomorrow’s (Saturday) maiden flight!