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New Aluminum-Ice Rocket Propellant Tested
eldavojohn writes "With the problem of moving conventional rocket fuel to the Moon and Mars on their minds, researchers from Purdue and Penn State successfully tested and demonstrated the use of aluminum-ice (ALICE) as fuel. In a paper from last August they outlined how it would work (PDF), and now they know it does. Space.com also has more information on the paper and how nano-scale aluminum functions as a fuel."
Fly me to the moon. Let me play among the stars. Let me see what spring is like on Jupiter and Mars.
We spend so much time arguing with each other here on Slashdot, but when it comes down to it, we're all in this together. We are going to need to secure a future for future generations, so putting an effort into developing non-volatile fuels which can be formulated anywhere is one huge step towards getting off this rock.
Aluminum is plentiful anywhere we intend to go. This could really be the breakthrough that we've been looking for.
In other words, please be true. In other words, I love you.
Hmm. One _could_ make solid fuel with rice flour and potassium chlorate or a similar oxidizer...
Hell, you can turn a grain silo into a rocket with just one match...
Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.