Development Plans

Regarding my earlier blog entry on the LMR overview  ("Overview of the LMR N-Prize Approach," www.littlemonsterrocket.com/news/overview-of-the-lmr-n-prize-approach/), I thought I would briefly outline how I intend to develop it.

It's a reasonably sized task, separable into various parts and phases – all which are manageable by a capable entity (that is, given enough time and bandwidth).

To start, I'm constructing the third stage first (this is currently in progress). Once that's completed, I can readily upgrade from approximate to exact size required for the second stage, and after that, the booster. It makes little sense to build the booster until the upper stages are completed.

Note that the technology employed on the third stage is very similar to the first and second stages; it provides a map and outline of the entire system. As such, I have constructed a 1:1 experimental third stage assembly prototype (built in flight-ready fashion; refer to the LMR-A/S3-HG slide*); this prototype allows me to do various testing and evaluation. I have also constructed several experimental engines (LMR3-A/UCT; LMR3-A/QC – multiple variants of each) which are designed for evaluating upper stage engine concepts.

I've designed my third stage with enough thrust-to-weight ratio to enable VTVL capabilities (engine thrust without any expansion cone is just about optimally expanded at sea level); the thrust is ~0.75:1 during the start of the third stage burn, but a max thrust of >1:1 is possible. Once I have finalized the engine, I plan to demonstrate a hover/maneuver test with the entire third stage prototype (think of it as an extremely small lander); this will additionally validate my control system. Although Isp will be low at sea-level altitudes (due to the very low pressure of the engine) it should provide enough for a great demonstration.

~Sage

*LMR-A/S3-HG overview slide available with $20 donation.