scope:

Abstract:

During confidence testing of the MBB Galileo Ten Newton (N) Engine at MBB in November 1988, rapid increases in combustion chamber temperature ("hot starts") were sometimes observed immediately after ignition of the engine. Examination of test data from the previous flight engine acceptance tests showed evidence of hot starts, but JPL had not witnessed these earlier tests.

The lesson recommends several measures to assure that rocket engine development and qualification test instrumentation and test documentation are sufficient to detect and diagnose combustion instabilities.