Researchers hope to grow energy crops on Mars following successful B100 biodiesel rocket fuel test

Researchers at Flometrics have reported the possibility of growing oilseed crops on Mars for rocket fuel, after a test of B100 biodiesel in a Rocketdyne LR-101 engine showed comparable burn characteristic to RP-1 kerosene. The test was carried out in a General Dynamics/Convair Atlas missile based on a six-second burn, and B100 developed an 820 lb thrust compared to 840 for RP-1.

Following the test, Flometrics said it would proceed with a B100 powered rocket launch.

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