tech
March 21, 2026
NASA wants to know how the launch industry's chic new rocket fuel explodes
“We put fuel in a rocket, blow it up in a remote location, and measure how big the boom is.”
TL;DR
- Traditional rockets have used refined kerosene, hydrazine, hydrogen, or solid fuels for over 60 years.
- Large methane-fueled rocket engines like SpaceX's Raptor and Blue Origin's BE-4 are now being developed and used.
- Methane-fueled ('methalox') engines offer advantages such as less residue for reusability and easier handling compared to liquid hydrogen.
- US agencies like NASA and the Space Force are conducting tests to understand the explosive hazards of methalox rockets.
- These tests involve controlled explosions of propellants to measure blast intensity, debris, and thermal potency.
- The findings will inform launch site planning, safety protocols, and the size of danger areas around launch pads.
- Currently, Space Force treats methalox rockets with '100 percent TNT blast equivalency' until test results are analyzed.
- The space industry, represented by groups like the Commercial Space Federation, advocates for using existing data to reduce overly large safety zones.
Continue reading the original article