NASA will test "green fuel" in space for the first time

According to NASA's official website recently, NASA will test a non-toxic rose-colored liquid fuel and propulsion system for the first time in space. This "Green Propellant Injection Mission" (GPIM) will help US space this month Exploring Technology (SpaceX) 's "Falcon Heavy" rocket is launched, and is expected to provide power to spacecraft traveling to the moon or other celestial bodies in the future.

This high-performance fuel was developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The propellant is a mixture of hydroxyammonium nitrate and an oxidant. After combustion, it produces a substitute for hydrazine. Hydrazine is currently a highly toxic fuel commonly used in spacecraft, and handling this liquid requires strict safety precautions-protective clothing, thick rubber gloves, and an oxygen tank. GPIM aims to shorten the processing time and the time required to prepare for launch.

GPIM principal researcher Christopher McLean explained: "The use of this fuel and propulsion system has two major benefits. First, the spacecraft can be refueled during the manufacturing process, so the launch process can be simplified, thereby saving costs. Another benefit is that the new The fuel is thicker than hydrazine and the performance is improved by nearly 50%, which means that the spacecraft can use less fuel to work longer. "

Lockheed Jet Engine Company designed, manufactured and tested the GPIM propulsion system extensively. The hardware includes a propellant tank and five thrusters for carrying this non-toxic fuel.

Fred Wilson, director of business development for the company, said: "We see that the entire space industry is interested in the use of green propellants. The technology is very attractive for cube satellites, which have strict limits on space and weight, because these cube satellites Manufacturers have limited budgets. From small satellites to large spacecraft, the use of green propellants can benefit many space exploration missions. "

GPIM will also help improve the design and operation of satellites. Based on the GPIM work, Lockheed is improving a series of other propulsion systems to utilize this high-performance green propellant. (Reporter Liu Xia)