Thursday, August 16, 2012

NASA tests “green” rocket fuel

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced it is testing a high performance “green” propellant alternative to the highly toxic fuel hydrazine for the launches of rockets, satellites and spacecraft in an experiment led by Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation.

“Hydrazine is an efficient propellant and can be stored for long periods of time, but it also is highly corrosive and toxic,” NASA said in a statement.

The green propellants that NASA and Ball Aerospace will test include liquid, solid, mono-propellant, which use one fuel source, or bi-propellants, which use two, and hybrids that offer safer handling conditions and lower environmental impact than current fuels.

"High performance green propellant has the potential to revolutionize how we travel to, from and in space," said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology Program.

"An effective green rocket fuel would dramatically reduce the cost and time for preparing and launching space missions while decreasing pollution and harm to our environment," he said.

NASA said the Green Propellant Infusion Mission is expected to be developed and flown in approximately three years at a cost of $45 million.

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