New clean burning rocket fuel

[SpoofyMcPoof]

Researchers are developing a new type of rocket propellant made of a frozen mixture of water and "nanoscale aluminum" powder that is more environmentally friendly than conventional propellants and could be manufactured on the moon, Mars and other water-bearing bodies.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091007161127.htm

If they could figure this out it could potentially mean we could set up a refueling station on the moon, and then mars, and be able to more easily send things further out into the solar system. Or that we could even have a sustainable base of operations on either. I guess it really depends on a lot of factors, but the idea is really cool.

It's a shame this sort of fuel idea wouldn't work for cars - being that it has to be frozen and all.

 

[Entyqua]

we've had the technology for clean burning fuel for cars since before cars were even popular...Government just refuses to piss off the oil companies...

Back to the topic: quite interesting!

 

[Cog]

Chemical energy mere gets rockets out through force alone, there are much more unique theories out in play, one is a satellite which follows earths orbit and essentially lifts the craft out into orbit, functioning somewhat like an elevator.

Also hydrogen fuel is thy most looked upon source of energy as it plentiful throughout space and if they could gather in as they pass through it, you woulnd't need to stop for gas.

the article is interesting nevertheless.

 

[SuchKnowledgeIs]

This sounds like a great project to have worked on. Firing a 9ft high rocket 1300 feet into the air! I might have paid more attention in physics and chemistry if we had done things like that!

Hopefully more applications for this fuel will be found as it certainly does sounds very green.