Hybrid Rocket Motor Nozzle Tests

Description:
Update on my senior project here at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. This video is intended primarily for my advisor, but to anyone else who isn't familiar with what I'm doing:

This is a demonstration hybrid rocket motor in our propulsions lab, employing oxygen as the oxidizer and plexiglas (polymethylmethacrylate) as the fuel, with propane as the ignitor. The purpose of this motor is DEMONSTRATION of hybrid motor characteristics, NOT thrust performance. As such, the thrust is intentionally low (this is also good for safety).

My senior project is to design a rocket nozzle or two that will sufficiently demonstrate to students the higher performance that can be expected from the use of a nozzle, particularly in the form of increased thrust.

Cal Poly's motto is "learn by doing." I am doing exactly that. Machining new fixtures and nozzles, testing the nozzles, collecting the data, and doing everything else myself has been a learning experience, allowing me to see the design process from conception to application.

If you have any questions about Cal Poly, their aerospace engineering department, or hybrid rocket motors, let me know and I'll be sure to get back to you. Embed this video
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