When the world is leading toward a green future with each passing day, then how could rocket technology lag behind? NASA and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) have successfully launched a small rocket using eco-friendly, safe propellant composed of aluminum powder and water ice. The green propellant, called ALICE, is creating a lot of enthusiasm among researchers because this energetic propellant has the potential to replace some liquid or solid propellants.
ALICE thrust a nine-foot rocket to a height of 1,300 feet over Purdue University’s Scholer farms in Indiana this month. When it is optimized, it could have a higher performance than conventional propellants. The fuel having the consistency of toothpaste with high burning rate can be fitted into molds before cooled to -30C 24 hours before flight. During this test, the propellant achieved a maximum thrust of 650 pounds.
This collaboration has come up as a great opportunity for graduate students to work on environmentally friendly propellants, encouraging a new generation of aerospace engineers. Researchers are hoping to improve ALICE to become a potential solid rocket propellant by the addition of oxidizers.