SPG hybrid motor failure damages test facility
The Space Propulsion Group (SPG) had a bit of a problem yesterday during a paraffin fueled hybrid rocket motor test: Test rocket explodes, damaging facility near Butte – Missoulian
> A 24-inch rocket exploded during an experimental test Tuesday afternoon at the Butte Aerotec facility, seriously damaging a new building but causing no injuries.
Dave Micheletti, president of Montana Aerospace Development Association, confirmed there was a “malfunction” during a SPG Inc. rocket test, and that no one was hurt. The cause of the explosion is unknown.
“It was the first test of the big 24-inch rocket,” Micheletti said. “It was a hot-fire test. As to what happened, we have some ideas, but we won’t know for sure until we finish an investigation.”