At Balls 32 this past September, for the first time in over 20 years, the Tripoli Board of Directors invited three teams to bring their liquid motor projects to the launch. These teams gave an orientation of their projects to a four-person approval team. They demonstrated their standard operational procedures and dump procedures, which finally culminated in a static firing of their motors. If they were successful, they were authorized to fly their projects for the remainder of the launch. This demonstration allowed those in attendance to witness the safe operations of these types of motors.
I’m pleased to announce that the BOD has decided to not only repeat this process for the coming year but also to expand it in terms of the number of teams and fuels allowed. This coming year, we will accept up to six applications for individuals or teams to participate in a liquid motor demonstration at Balls 33, which will take place from September 18th through the 21st.
The teams will be restricted to bi-propellant motors utilizing nitrous oxide as the oxidizer and any of the following organic solvents as fuels: isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, E85 gasoline, and E98 gasoline.
In addition, submitters will have to provide evidence that they have successfully fired this configuration of motor four times previously and that they have successfully flown and recovered a rocket of similar impulse twice.
If you are interested in being considered for this demonstration, please contact the
Research Committee through their page on the Tripoli website.
Applications will be accepted until April 30, 2025.