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Maybe try and get in contact with SPL to do a piston test in the vacuum chamber sometime in the next two weeks?
Or figure out a way to use the mini vacuum chamber in lab
Piston
Used on Phoenix, Staging Demo and HADES
Piston failure experienced on Staging Demo II (resulted in sustainer destruction)
Pressure sealed so can be used at high-altitudes
Although risk of no pressure seal on the firebolts (mitigated using hydrostatic testing)
Overall black powder is less reliable at higher altitudes (lower pressure slows down combustion propagation)
Test hot glue instead of epoxy as a sealing method for the firebolts
Takes up 8 inches in length of mpt
Can be reused
Look into & test shorter pistons?
Variety of piston lengths: https://www.mcmaster.com/products/pistons/double-acting-round-body-air-cylinders/
More info on different types of pistons: https://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/fluid_power_components/pneumatic_equipment_components/air_cylinders
BP calculator: https://rocketrycalculator.com/rocketry-calculator/bp-estimator/
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