🚀SpaceX is using methane as rocket fuel for its Starship project.
🔥Methane produces less soot and damage to engines compared to kerosene.
🌍Methane can be synthesized from Mars' carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere.
⚡️The Sabatier and Reverse Water Gas Shift reactions are used to convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen into methane and oxygen.
🌱This technology could also be used for carbon capture on Earth.
Why is SpaceX using methane instead of kerosene or liquid hydrogen?
—Methane produces less soot and damage to engines, making them more reusable and requiring less maintenance. It is also easier to store than liquid hydrogen.
How is methane synthesized from Mars' atmosphere?
—The Sabatier and Reverse Water Gas Shift reactions are used to convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen into methane and oxygen.
What are the advantages of using methane as rocket fuel?
—Methane has a higher specific impulse than kerosene and is more efficient in converting mass into thrust. It can also be synthesized from Mars' carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere, making it a potentially sustainable fuel source for future Mars missions.
Can this technology be used for carbon capture on Earth?
—Yes, the Sabatier and Reverse Water Gas Shift reactions can be used to capture carbon dioxide and convert it into methane, which can be stored or used as a fuel source.
What are the challenges of using methane as rocket fuel?
—Methane has a low boiling point and requires heavily insulated fuel tanks. It also degrades and weakens metals, requiring special materials for rocket construction.
00:00SpaceX is using methane as rocket fuel for its Starship project instead of kerosene or liquid hydrogen.
02:06Methane produces less soot and damage to engines compared to kerosene, making them more reusable.
08:00Methane can be synthesized from Mars' carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere using the Sabatier and Reverse Water Gas Shift reactions.
09:14The molar ratio of oxygen to methane is important in the propellant mixture for efficient combustion.
11:25Extracting water from Mars and converting it into hydrogen can be challenging but necessary for methane production.
