Rick has received the second sample of KNO3 from WenCheng Chemicals that Flint Hapirat had ordered and had sent to Rick. The original sample indicated an unacceptable pH level and a particle size that was a bit coarse. WenCheng promised to supply a new sample without the anti-cake additive, and ground slightly finer. Rick will perform a suitability analysis sometime this week.

Richard has completed casting of all six propellant casting tubes for the Forward Chamber (six for the Aft chamber were fabricated earlier). As well, two additional casting tubes have been made, one of each type. These two will be sent to Pol Clauwaert who is fabricating the propellant melting system. Richard also completed machining of the ablative liner that had been rough cast onto the convergent section of the Nozzle Body:
Ablator cast in place:
http://www.sugarshot.org/downloads/dss067a.jpg
Machining the ablator to blueprint dimensions:
http://www.sugarshot.org/downloads/dss071a.jpg
Completed Nozzle:
http://www.sugarshot.org/downloads/dss082a.jpg

An avionics telecon was held this past Sunday. The primary purpose of this telecon was to discuss antenna choices and placements. Mattias performed antenna simulations that supported the use of dipole antennas over 1/4 wave type. Of particular advantage is the much greater coverage of the transmissions to the ground receivers. Particpants in the telecon were Chris King, Matt Campbell, Hans Olaf Toft, Mattias Lampe, and Richard Nakka. The next avionics telecon will be on June 5th.
http://www.sugarshot.org/downloads/antenna_simulations_2.pdf

Paul Avery picked up the aluminum "Star Plates" that were professionally fabricated by "water jet" cutting, and reports that they look good and only need a little deburring. The Star Plate constitutes part of the Top Cap of the casting mould. Marc Davis has kindly volunteered to CNC mill all the Top Caps and Bottom Caps from 1/2" and 3/4" delrin plate stock.

Design of the Pyrogen igniters for the Boilerplate motor has begun, with participation from Richard, Paul and Rick. The Pyrogen will likely consist of a charge of iron oxide doped KNSB, strategically shaped to rapidly ignite all surfaces of the star grain at motor startup, including the Delay Plug.

A late June firing date is being targeted for the Boilerplate static test motor. To date, all pieces of this project are coming together nicely to expect this to be real possibility.

A $100 reward has been posted for the recovery of the MiniSShot-2 Booster section. Casual searches have been conducted by Rick Maschek and others in the days following the launch but were without luck: http://www.sugarshot.org/reward.html