Brazil successfully launches first ethanol-propelled rocket

In Brazil, the first ethanol-propelled rocket was successfully launched by the Institute of Aeronautics and Space (IAE) last week. The launch lasted three minutes and 34 seconds, and worked throughout the 90-second period. The rocket used an engine that utilizes ethanol and liquid oxygen, named the Liquid-Propellant Propulsion Stage, and was developed by Orbital Engineering in partnership with IAE.

As another potential liquid renewable fuel for rockets, the Digest reported recently on super-dense fuels, including CL-20, which have the potential to be used for missiles and to reduce the prohibitory weight of rockets. These types of high-value fuels provide new opportunities for profitable development of sustainable fuels.

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