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Calculating Environmental Damage From Space Tourism Rockets

Posted by Soulskill on from the i-can-see-the-smog-around-my-house-from-here dept.

MithrandirAgain writes "A new study from several scientists at the Aerospace Corporation claims spaceships that rely on rubber-based fuel could help cause climate change. The fuel apparently expels a black carbon soot into the stratosphere when burned with nitrous oxide, which could be contributing to global climate changes, like shrinking the icecaps. However, the authors are careful about their work being an end-all study and are 'inviting others to take a look.' Virgin Galactic, whose SpaceShipTwo just made its first solo flight (and uses the type of fuel discussed in the study), is listening to the scientists' concerns. CEO George Whitesides said, 'I think we and others in the industry welcome the opportunity to talk about all of these issues.' SpaceShipTwo does use a hybrid engine 'because of its significantly lower environmental impact than other designs,' and Whitesides stresses, 'I think as we look at this more, we'll find the impact will be far smaller than that set out in the paper. In any case, I welcome the conversation.'"

3 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. Dudes have their drugs mixed up ... by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 2, Funny

    The fuel apparently expels a black carbon soot into the stratosphere when burned with nitrous oxide

    You don't burn nitrous oxide, you just inhale it.

    Is, like, our druggie-head culture going to Hell in a hand basket?

    Oh, what a sorry state of the nation, when teenagers don't know how to do whippets anymore . . .

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    1. Re:Dudes have their drugs mixed up ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Seriously! We can use the N2O to send six people into space, or use the same amount to make, like, a million people think they're in outer space - for about thirty seconds anyway.

    2. Re:Dudes have their drugs mixed up ... by nacturation · · Score: 2, Funny

      The fuel apparently expels a black carbon soot into the stratosphere when burned with nitrous oxide

      You don't burn nitrous oxide, you just inhale it.

      I thought that's exactly what's happening. The rocket engine inhales the nitrous oxide which is what makes it get so high.

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