...
Note: that the final rod seal is kind of messed up and cut up. It still seemed to seal though by doing a tug test with the inlet port closed up.
One thing to note about this test was that it was the most energetic test performed to-date. This could be because of several reasons:
- Different quantity, type, and application of lubrication from previous tests
- Different piston than had previously been fired at all
- More vent holes in the mission package
- One theory as to why the Ground Tests performed on Pathfinder were less effective was because the mission package didn't have vent holes and the diaphragm was previously solid. This would have led to a vacuum occurring in between the cup and the diaphragm, slowing it's movement
- Better contact between the cup and the booster section (the COTS coupler was quite thick, likely thicker than the SRAD Pathfinder coupler)
It's also worth noting that the ground test didn't include the motor case, fin can, payload, ballast, or nose cone. Adding these would have resulted in a lower separation velocity.