NASA uses a variety of fuels for its missions, depending on the specific requirements of each spacecraft. Here are some of the most common fuels used by NASA:
Liquid Hydrogen and Liquid Oxygen (LH2/LOX)
- Used for: Space Shuttle Main Engines, Saturn V rockets, and other large launch vehicles.
- Advantages: High energy density, clean burning, and readily available.
- Disadvantages: Cryogenic (must be kept extremely cold), difficult to handle, and requires large storage tanks.
Kerosene and Liquid Oxygen (RP-1/LOX)
- Used for: Space Launch System (SLS), Falcon 9 rockets, and other launch vehicles.
- Advantages: Relatively high energy density, less expensive than LH2/LOX, and easier to handle.
- Disadvantages: Produces more soot and pollutants than LH2/LOX.
Solid Rocket Fuel
- Used for: Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters, Delta IV rockets, and other launch vehicles.
- Advantages: High thrust, reliable, and relatively simple to use.
- Disadvantages: Less efficient than liquid fuels, difficult to shut down once ignited, and can produce large amounts of smoke.
Hydrazine
- Used for: Spacecraft propulsion systems, such as maneuvering thrusters and attitude control systems.
- Advantages: Storable at room temperature, reliable, and efficient.
- Disadvantages: Toxic and corrosive.
Ion Propulsion
- Used for: Deep space missions, such as the Dawn spacecraft.
- Advantages: Highly efficient, uses very little fuel, and can provide long-duration thrust.
- Disadvantages: Low thrust, not suitable for launch or atmospheric maneuvers.
These are just a few examples of the fuels used by NASA. The specific fuel chosen for a mission depends on a variety of factors, including the mission objectives, the spacecraft design, and the launch vehicle.
