While i was doing research on the potential of methane to become a major fuel source in the future i came across a NASA project that really interested me. On the NASA site below it tells us all about it. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/04may_methaneblast.htm. On Janurary 16th 2007 methane was tested as rocket fuel in the mojave desert. It is still a long way away from being used in space, but one day it could lead to deep space exploration. Since methane is abundant in space, (such places as mars, Titan, Jupiter, and many other planets and moons) a shuttle using methane could potentially refuel it's self in space. This could allow the shuttle to explore far deeper in space.
Other advantages of methane allow the space craft to travel lighter, safer and reduce the cost of missions. Since methane is more dense than the liquid hydrogen used today, smaller tanks can be used reducing the weight. Also methane can be stored in more convienent temperatures than liquid hydrogen, reducing the need for as much installation. The methane is safer in the fact that most rocket fuels are toxic, while methane is a green propellant.
The only main problem with methane is its ability to ignite. The current rocket fuels ignite spontaniously when mixed with oxidizer, while methane needs an ignition source. An Ignition source could be a problem with some of the extreme temperatures in space. But with the advances we are capable of, im sure it is only a matter of time before a space craft running on methane will be launched into space.
You can see a video of the test here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTk_0lY0XxM
Its pretty sweet. It put out 7,500 pounds of thrust.
Another small scale methane rocket test which was done by the California State University and the Garvey Spacecraft Corporation is shown here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtyoHOzjFkc&feature=related. Although it is just a small rocket it provides alot of research. Theres more infomation on this project on the Californa State University site shown below. http://www.csulb.edu/colleges/coe/mae/views/projects/rocket/news_2008/flight_4_12_2008.shtml
methane as rocket fuel could lead to great advances for space exploration in the future.
The simplest hydrocarbon seems to have many uses. I'm curious how much energy the Sabatier process uses. How much energy in vs. energy out when methane is combusted?
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