NASA Used a Material Found in Crayons for This Roaring Rocket

[Buster's Uncle]

NASA Used a Material Found in Crayons for This Roaring Rocket
Paraffin, that non-toxic miracle.
Popular Mechanics
By David Grossman  Apr 28, 2017 






Researchers at NASA and Stanford have been experimenting with a new type of rocket engine, which they call the Peregrine hybrid rocket motor. The Peregrine is powered by paraffin wax, which can also be found in your regular crayon or candle. Be careful, it gets loud.

http://www.nasa.gov/feature/ames/from-pedicures-to-the-peregrine-rocket-paraffin-wax-proves-its-worth

Stanford initiated the project when researchers from the California university discovered that paraffin fuel burns three times faster than conventional fuels, which are used in hybrid rockets alongside nitrous oxide. When they went to NASA's nearby Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, they asked for help turning the idea into reality.

Paraffin, as crayons will tell you on the box, is non-toxic. That fact alone reduces cost in terms of safety requirements and transport. It's sturdy as well, with the ability to perform under difficult environmental conditions like the surface of Mars. The Mars Ascent Vehicle, one of NASA's challenges to itself, plans on using a paraffin hybrid motor.

NASA is optimistic about the new technology and plans to test a Peregrine rocket in flight for the first time later this year. A cheaper rocket could mean a flight to Mars comes that much quicker.

Source: NASA


http://www.popularmechanics.com/space/rockets/a26309/nasa-paraffin-rocket/