For the past three years, the Tripoli Research Committee along with the Tripoli Board of Directors have been evaluating the feasibility of allowing bi-propellant liquid motor flights to occur at Tripoli sanctioned launches. I am pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has approved the proposals from three separate groups to attend this years Balls launch to demonstrate their operational procedures and safety protocols to the organization. The three-part approval process will consist of a motor design, normal and abnormal procedures/safety protocol briefing to be followed by a wet dress rehearsal using inert fuels followed by a static test of each motor. Upon successful completion of each of these three steps, the teams will be allowed to fly their rockets at the launch.
This approval is for these three teams only at Balls 32. Upon completion of the event, the lessons learned from this demonstration will be evaluated by the Research Committee which will provide a recommendation to either continue with these kinds of technology demonstrations or cancel the program. At this time, no other venues or projects will be considered until this information has been reviewed by the Board of Directors. If it’s decided that we want to continue or expand this study, we will notify our membership and those who might want to apply next year will be considered.
Bob Brown
President, Tripoli Rocketry Association