Design, Development, and Structural Validation of a Mobile Static Test Stand for Solid Rocket Motor Performance Evaluation

Reliable static firing facilities are indispensable for evaluating the performance, structural integrity, and operational safety of solid rocket motors (SRMs). However, the high cost and limited availability of dedicated propulsion test facilities continue to constrain experimental rocket propulsion research in many developing countries. This study presents the design, fabrication, and structural validation of a cost-effective mobile static test stand developed at the Advanced Aerospace Engines Laboratory (AAEL) in Nigeria to support indigenous solid rocket motor research and development. The developed facility integrates a rigid steel support structure, an adjustable motor mounting assembly, a centrally mounted compression load cell, a dedicated thrust data acquisition system, a programmable remote ignition controller, and a reinforced steel safety cage equipped with wireless 4K night-vision cameras for real-time remote monitoring. The ignition system incorporates a programmable 30-second countdown sequence, an audible warning alarm, wireless remote firing capability over distances up to 400 m, and an emergency abort function to enhance operational safety. The structural components of the test stand were designed using conventional mechanical design principles and validated through finite element analysis to ensure adequate stiffness and structural integrity under the maximum expected loading conditions. Real-time thrust measurements are obtained through a calibrated compression load cell integrated with a dedicated data acquisition system capable of continuously recording thrust throughout the combustion process. The developed test facility provides a practical, reliable, and economically sustainable platform for the experimental evaluation of solid rocket motors developed within Nigeria's indigenous space programme.