The concept of using water on other celestial bodies to create rocket fuel isn’t new. For years, scientists have proposed harnessing the frozen water on the Moon, providing a way for astronauts to return home.
Now, former SpaceX engineer Halen Mattison and his startup, General Galactic, are putting this idea to the test. They’re preparing to launch a satellite weighing 1,100 pounds on a Falcon 9 rocket in October. This will be a major step to see if we can really use water as a source of fuel for rockets.
Their plan includes testing two types of propulsion: electrical and chemical. For the chemical approach, they will split water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis. Then, they’ll burn the hydrogen with the oxygen to create thrust. In the electrical test, they’ll turn the oxygen into plasma using a strong electrical current, creating a different kind of thrust.
Mattison aims to demonstrate that water can provide both short bursts of thrust with electrical power and larger, but shorter, bursts with chemical reactions. He believes this technology could enhance military capabilities in space, especially as U.S. satellites face potential threats from rival nations, like China and Russia.
However, skepticism remains. Ryan Conversano, a former NASA tech expert and consultant for General Galactic, highlights potential risks. Ionized oxygen can damage satellite electronics, complicating the design and material choices. There’s also the burden of the electrolysis system’s weight, which could be a disadvantage compared to traditional rocket fuels.
Despite these challenges, the investigation into using water as rocket fuel is crucial. Researchers are exploring how to extract water and oxygen from resources like lunar regolith or Martian soil. This ability could be vital for future missions, especially if astronauts find their spacecraft low on fuel.
In recent studies, it has been shown that efficient in-situ resource utilization could significantly reduce mission costs and increase sustainability in space exploration. According to a NASA report, water found on the Moon could support long-term human presence, making it a target for future lunar missions.
As we delve deeper into these possibilities, it becomes clear that thinking creatively about resources like water could pave the way for humanity’s future in space.
For further insights, you can read more about advancements in space fuel technologies in research from NASA.
