4 ms·
You can actually run a rocket engine on carbon monoxide and oxygen, no hydrogen needed: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19910014990 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citati
by skykooler 4y ago
You can actually run a rocket engine on carbon monoxide and oxygen, no hydrogen needed: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19910014990 https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19910014990
The downside is relatively low Isp, so you need a much larger rocket to get to orbit.
- was_a_dev 4y agoMy thought here is surely it could be sufficient for Martian applications. In reality, rockets off Mars initially will be to return humans and Martian samples. So such a rocket would be convenient if sourcing Hydrogen proves to be very difficult.
- mr_toad 4y agoYou can make carbon nanotubes out of CO. Build a space elevator and you don’t need rockets at all.