He's running too close to the danger point in feeding reactant to the chambers, using D-18 rate of feed and D-9 is standard.
"Treachery in Outer Space"
Carey Rockwell and Louis Glanzman
They cool the reactant fuel to keep it from getting too hot and wildcatting.
"Treachery in Outer Space"
Carey Rockwell and Louis Glanzman
At a D-9 rate the reactant is hot enough to create power for normal flight.
"Treachery in Outer Space"
Carey Rockwell and Louis Glanzman