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quasar777

Member

Registered: 2002-05-05

Posts: 135

Re: regolith propulsion

i`ve heard it may be possible to use regolith as a proulsion source. if i heard correctly it can actually be burned.

C M Edwards

Member

From: Lake Charles LA USA

Registered: 2002-04-29

Posts: 1,012

Re: regolith propulsion

Sample data from the Viking landers back in the 1970's shows that the regolith is chemically reactive.  However, just being reactive doesn't mean it's reactive enough to use as a compact fuel source.

Hmm... Perhaps the martian dust could be used in a fuel cell. 

Do you have a reference for this?  I'd like to read it.

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"We go big, or we don't go."  - GCNRevenger

quasar777

Member

Registered: 2002-05-05

Posts: 135

Re: regolith propulsion

[http://www.personal.engin.umich]www.personal.engin.umich./~jlinnell/publications/AIAA_2002_3788.pdf