Abstract:This paper focuses on the development and manufacture of a rocket test stand to study a hybrid rocket performance while in a vertical position. Performance of the hybrid rocket includes studying the fuel regression rate and instabilities and vibrations in the rocket motor, and the transient boundary layer during firing. A sub-scale vertical test stand designed, manufactured, and pre-qualified to be used in hybrid rocket propulsion system instability predictions using acoustic measurements. This system will allow identification and suppression of hybrid propulsion fuel grain irregularity induced instabilities based on acoustic measurements. One of the unique features of this test stand is its vertical orientation to mimic actual launch of a space vehicle into orbit.