18 Jan 2019 15:07

Russia may design space rockets using eco-fuel by 2021

MOSCOW. Jan 18 (Interfax) - An eco-fuel has been created for Russian space rockets, according to a report prepared for the Korolyov Readings.

"Over a brief period of time, the Applied Chemistry Russian Research Center fulfilled an order of Roscosmos and created an environmentally friendly mono-fuel, an ionic liquid, which has the working name Green Fuel," the report said.

The center has launched an experimental line producing 100 kilograms of fuel per year. The GIPKh experimental plant has conducted successful firing tests of the new mono-fuel and its catalyst in model engines, according to the report.

"The new mono-fuel is being produced and supplied for testing in liquid-fuel satellite controlled-and-correction engines. The goal of the work is to design an engine running on eco-fuel and to perform test flights in 2021-2023," the report said.

The fuel has a hazard rating of 3 (moderately toxic). There are five hazard ratings in Russia, it said.

"We expect the green mono-fuel to be used by rockets and spacecraft, including engines of booster stages, engines of lunar research satellites, and gas-generator propulsion systems of various rocket systems. It can also be used by engines of unmanned vehicles," the report said.