Rick Maschek from SS2S reports about the second solid-steam rocket motor test at FAR (also called SAM ---Steam Assisted Motor):
"We tested the SAM Saturday afternoon. Unfortunately, after three delays due to corrosion on the ignition system plug connectors, the video batteries ran down just as the forth countdown was to begin, The motor this time had a much longer core to fire for a shorter time interval but with higher chamber pressure and thrust than previous 'SAM' motors.
Being a case bonded progressive burning motor with higher chamber pressure, the burn time was very short, blew out the nozzle and didn't have a long enough time interval to allow the water to heat up sufficiently to flash into steam.
The design used for this test placed the nozzle to the rear of the last contact with the water liner. The next change will be to place the nozzle farther up inside the motor casing to allow heat from the nozzle to come into contact with the water and provide additional support for the nozzle preventing it from being ejected. The length of the core will also be shortened to decrease chamber pressure and allow longer burning time."
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