Blog
Fisher Space Systems LLC
Viper Rocket Trike
Updated Jul 2025
"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."
- Leonardo da Vinci
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Copyright (c) 2021 Jerry F Fisher
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/
Copyright (c) 2021 Jerry F Fisher
01-30-2025: No launch activity this month due to weather delays (to cold and snowy). Instead, I worked on cleaning and organizing my lab. I moved my workbench next to the wall so I could organize my tools. I plan to continue cleaning and organizing next month. I may get some static engine testing done if the weather cooperates. Read more in the Jan EOM Report.
03-31-2025: This month, I did a static test of the PLA fuel cores infused with a lower concentration of KMnO4. Ignition occurred in less than one second. Lower solubility means lower cost and lesser mess. Also, I did a MkI Viper launch using the larger styrofoam fins. The Viper still pitched up but not as much. The addition of ventral nacelles will introduce drag at the port and starboard fins counteracting the pitch up. Read more in the Mar EOM Report.
04-30-2025: This month, I did two static tests of the PLA fuel cores infused with a lower concentration of KMnO4. This was the 4th infusion of KMnO4 using the original solubility of 50 gm/L. In the first test, ignition occurred in less than one second due primarily to a small leak in the solenoid valve. In the second test, a larger leak in the solenoid resulted in an explosion.
The ignition test of the 4th infusion was inconclusive. However, I surmised that by using a motorized ball valve on the class II engine, I can scale the engine to higher thrust by leaking HTP into the fuel core thus preheating the fuel core prior to ignition.
05-31-2025: This month, I had two launch attempts of the MkI Viper rocket glider. On the first launch attempt, the Viper just barely cleared the rail guide and fell to the concrete floor. I had a massive leak at the propellant tank connection. In the second launch attempt, the Viper cleared the rail guide and made it to ~ 30 feet while yawing to port, a new record for Fisher Space Systems, LLC.
06-30-2025: This month, I had one launch of the MkI Viper rocket glider. The Viper cleared the rail guide at ~ 3.6 m/sec and reached an altitude of ~ 100 feet while arcing over and heading east. The Viper exhausted all of the unstabilized HTP oxidizer in this launch before crashing into the ground, a first for Fisher Space Systems, LLC. Analysis of the spent fuel core showed an almost complete burn of available PLA/KMnO4. I plan a series of test to determine what effect HTP stabilizers play in the combustion efficiency of PLA.
03-31-2025: This month, I did a static test of the PLA fuel cores infused with a lower concentration of KMnO4. Ignition occurred in less than one second. Lower solubility means lower cost and lesser mess. Also, I did a MkI Viper launch using the larger styrofoam fins. The Viper still pitched up but not as much. The addition of ventral nacelles will introduce drag at the port and starboard fins counteracting the pitch up. Read more in the Mar EOM Report.
04-30-2025: This month, I did two static tests of the PLA fuel cores infused with a lower concentration of KMnO4. This was the 4th infusion of KMnO4 using the original solubility of 50 gm/L. In the first test, ignition occurred in less than one second due primarily to a small leak in the solenoid valve. In the second test, a larger leak in the solenoid resulted in an explosion.
The ignition test of the 4th infusion was inconclusive. However, I surmised that by using a motorized ball valve on the class II engine, I can scale the engine to higher thrust by leaking HTP into the fuel core thus preheating the fuel core prior to ignition.
05-31-2025: This month, I had two launch attempts of the MkI Viper rocket glider. On the first launch attempt, the Viper just barely cleared the rail guide and fell to the concrete floor. I had a massive leak at the propellant tank connection. In the second launch attempt, the Viper cleared the rail guide and made it to ~ 30 feet while yawing to port, a new record for Fisher Space Systems, LLC.
06-30-2025: This month, I had one launch of the MkI Viper rocket glider. The Viper cleared the rail guide at ~ 3.6 m/sec and reached an altitude of ~ 100 feet while arcing over and heading east. The Viper exhausted all of the unstabilized HTP oxidizer in this launch before crashing into the ground, a first for Fisher Space Systems, LLC. Analysis of the spent fuel core showed an almost complete burn of available PLA/KMnO4. I plan a series of test to determine what effect HTP stabilizers play in the combustion efficiency of PLA.
