May 2021
In-situ propellant design for Mars ascent vehicles
..., 2005]. Fuel grain design Hybrid rocket systems commonly use hydrocarbon-based fuel grains such as HTPB (Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene) and paraffin wax. Paraffin-based fuels offer a regression rate (the rate at which the...
July 2021
Nitrous oxide – a green propellant for commercial space exploration
...during orbital manoeuvring Among many other developments, between 2001 and 2004, 56 of SpaceDev’s N2O/HTPB (Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene) hybrid rocket motors capable of four restarts powered the SpaceShipOne suborbital spaceplane for 90 seconds...
February 2022
Extremophiles as a blueprint for universal life
... the DNA to be condensed into a smaller volume. By doing this, Dsup is able to protect DNA from damaging hydroxyl radicals which are produced when radiation interacts with water. Microphotograph of the Archea Thermococcus Gammatolerans. Directed...
15 June 2020
Green dayglow detected at Mars for the first time
... a molecule has been ripped apart and then later reformed. Atmospheric scientists frequently observe emissions from hydroxyl (OH) and oxygen (O2) molecules and from sodium (Na) and oxygen (O) atoms in Earth’s skies and it is this latter atom...
