A new rocket propellant consisting of aluminum powder and water
ice could point toward the future of space exploration
Spacecraft might one day refuel on the moon or Mars using plain
old ice. A small rocket flew earlier this month on an
environmentally-friendly propellant consisting of aluminum
powder and water ice. The "ALICE" fuel mixture being developed
by Purdue University and Pennsylvania State University could
someday replace liquid or solid rocket propellants, and possibly
enable higher performance as well. The implications for space
exploration could also mean accessible fuel reserves at future
lunar or Martian outposts, which naturally attract the interest
of NASA and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.