Rocketry Planet

The NAR Standards and Testing Committee is proud to announce their intention to begin testing high power rocket (HPR) motors October 3, 1995. John Cato has agreed to join NAR S&T to test HPR motors at his facility in Nicholls, Georgia. John brings a wealth of experience as former Chairman of Tripoli Motor Testing.

Vern Estes has been hard at work since this winter, fabricating a new test stand based on the design currently used by S&T to testing model rocket motors. The new stand is designed to handle motors up to 54mm in diameter with peak thrusts up to 2,500 newtons and contains several provisions to minimize the effect of any motor failure during testing. Vern demonstrated the stand at NARAM 37 in Geneseo, New York. The maximum motor accepted for certification will initially be "K" (2560 newton-seconds total impulse).

NAR S&T is also actively pursuing hybrid motor testing. Bob Littlefield is spearheading efforts in this area. Though there is not presently a committed date to begin formal testing of hybrid motors, S&T expects to conduct experimental firings before the end of the summer at Bob's facility in Newton, New Hampshire.

Appropriate modifications to S&T testing standards and policies taking into account high power and hybrid motors testing, as well as feedback received at the April meeting in Huntsville with manufacturers and NFPA experts are now being discussed. They will be mailed out to manufacturers when completed.

Jim Cook, Secretary for
NAR Standards & Testing
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Jack Kane, Chairman