A new cheaper spacecraft fuel is now in development. Experts claimed that this new power source could change the rising space industry, especially since various agencies and independent companies are active in out-of-this-world missions.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying the SAOCOM 1A and ITASAT 1 satellites, as seen during a long exposure on October 7, 2018 near Santa Barbara, California. After launching the satellites, the Falcon 9 rocket successfully returned to land on solid ground near the launch site rather than at sea.
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This new fuel is specifically iodine, a non-metallic solid when it is in its normal condition. However, most space companies are not relying on iodine to power their rockets and other spaceships.
As of the moment, most orbital aircraft models are using xenon to power their electric propulsion. However, this type of fuel is quite expensive to create.
Aside from this, it is also rare to find and very hard to store. However, experts claimed that iodine fuel could change this current fuel scenario in the growing space industry.
New Cheaper Spacecraft Fuel
According to Independent UK's latest report, the use of iodine could solve some of the issues in space flight activities and the rockets being launched.
TOPSHOT - A rocket carrying two satellites lifts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in northwest China's Gansu province on July 25, 2019. - A Chinese startup successfully launched the country's first commercial rocket capable of carrying satellites into orbit on July 25, as the space race between China and the US heats up.
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Compared to xenon, the newly discovered spacecraft fuel is cheaper and easier to find. On the other hand, since its original form is solid, space agencies could store it without any hassle.
Now, a new test was able to use the new power source in a small satellite orbiting the planet. Involved experts demonstrated the fuel's efficiency by using it on 20 kilograms sat, which was launched back in 2020. You can visit this link to see more details.
New Countries Now Joining the Space Race
The latest iodine fuel could be a major breakthrough once it is officially used as one of the main power sources for rockets, especially since new countries are planning to join the space race.
The New York Times reported that Indonesia could also enter the spaceflight industry. The country's president, Joko Widodo, said they are planning to build a spaceport to modernize the Southeast Asian island.
Jeff Bezos announced that he would soon focus on space travel and climate change in other news. On the other hand, new research revealed that Earth satellites are increasing.
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Written by: Griffin Davis
