David Weinshenker wrote:
> 1-1/2 stages? How was that to have worked? You weren't going to use
> the Atlas configuration and drop off some engines as a tankless "partial
> stage", were you?
Black Adder itself was a single stage HTP monoprop UGLV designed to
simplicity and "getting something in the air". I used a fiberglass
talk (overpressurized) and a 50 lb engine. When we static tested the
setup at the Ranch there were these disquieting "cracking" sounds when
we first pressurized the tank. We stopped the test.
It was about this time (1994) that the CATS prize was first being
talked about and Kevin's solution to reaching 200 Km was to stage the
Black Adder (a 5 gal water jug was proposed) to be known as Black
Adder II. Tests with the water jugs indicated we couldn't seal the
opening well enough to get pressure to 100 psi let alone the 300 psi
we'd need so we argued long and hard about whether we were a CATS
prize organization or wanted to keep to our original Single Stage
development path. We chose the latter.
> So it was a "mess" even before the compliance burden became apparent?
It was clear from the first workshop that the regulatory requirements
would be more of a challenge than the rocketry ones. There were some
folks who boldly stated "I don't care what FAA says, we'll just fly",
to which David Anderman replied "If you don't comply with the laws you
won't get the money."
Michael
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Wallis KF6SPF (408) 396-9037 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Oma Disala:
"The universe is vast and we are so small; there is only one thing we
can truly control: whether we are good or evil."
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