NASA - Methane Engine Test Fire

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NASA, Methane, Rocket, Test, Fire, Engines, Space, Shuttle

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This is the test firing of NASA's new Methane rocket, which could be the key to deep space exploration, because methane is very prominent in space, and could be easily harvested, reducing launch costs.

  1. By: toto.toto
  2. Categories Science & Tech
  3. Views 40,762
  4. Added :26-May-07
  5. Related Link: NASA
Comments on NASA - Methane Engine Test Fire
Other comments on this video
  • They're going to get the methane

    from cows. There's a test flight scheduled to take several head of cattle in a ship using one of these engines and orbit the Earth. It's going to be called "the herd shot around the world."

    By RealBoingo 1180215875
  • see the

    nice blue flame that means its very clean burning i wonder if they can liquifiy this stuff you can carry more if its in liquid form.

    By shot gun12g 1180271432
    • but...

      what was that weird pattern that the flame produced ? Really unusual i thought

      By furylittlecritter 1180341435
    • That pattern in the flame...

      Those are called "shock diamonds" or sometimes called "mach disks" it happens when a flow (the thrust/exhaust, in this case) exits the nozzle at a supersonic speed, at a pressure that is different to the outside atmosphere.

      http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/propulsion/q0224.shtml
      --------^ for more info

      By menacekop 1182784281
    • Yes, you can...

      Ever heard of LNG (liquified natural gas) - 95% methane?

      By johnbergstromslc 1180298267
  • Methane and Water

    METHANE

    I Appreciate your video. Please watch this, free film online : Methane and Water.

    By nc9 1233635782
  • Plasma Rockets would be better

    NASA is also working to perfect the plasma rocket which has the ability to continuously accelerate in the vacuum of space with little energy compared to rockets like the one in this video. It would mean MUCH faster and longer trips into deep space.

    By rstynls9 1186835199
  • Greenhouse Gas....what a load of S**t

    Guess what the second largest gas is in the atmosphere.....CO2. I doubt a rocket or two are going to make a big difference. This global warming scare has got to stop. F**king cows produce a LARGE percentage of our planets harmful gasses. Are we going to eliminate all the cows?? But even more importantly, solar flares are the largest culprit of this planets climate changes. Not humans. This comes from the very researchers that Gore tried to quote as saying the opposite for his movie. Some of them sued to have their names removed from his lie of a movie.

    By rstynls9 1186835066
  • The Article

    For those who want to read more about the methane engine: http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/04may_methaneblast.htm

    By bmontalto 1181326617
  • "Prominent in space"??? - nope

    But you could send a 'reactor ship' to Mars and make methane from carbon dioxide and water - both in abundance on Mars. That way you could manufacture fuel for the return journey and not have to drag it along with you from earth. Would save a lot of money.

    By johnbergstromslc 1180298511
    • so the experts say

      pity they cant get there to try it lol

      By mad taff 1181432187
    • Not yet...

      America's got to stop flushing it's money down the toilet trying to win the Iraq war and balance the budget before NASA will get the billions needed to test whether or not 'fueling up on Mars' will work. Maybe sometime after January 2009, when douchebag is out of the White House.

      By johnbergstromslc 1182035081
  • Wow! The sound of the beast.

    I wonder how many tons of thrust it can produce. 50 tons maybe? Does someone knows?

    By SomeJohn 1180267179
  • that is

    i think that's hot

    By Sjith 1180215035
  • hmmm

    thats given me an idea, maybe i could fit 1 of those on my car? perhaps a couple of little wings aswell?

    By Mr2You 1180200973
    • Darwin awards

      Sorry but someone already won the darwin award for this, when they attached a jet take off pack to their car.
      If you really want to die in an unusal way you will have to come up with a new idea.

      By paper Pete 1180229099
    • good idea !

      but i'd still be late for work everyday

      By furylittlecritter 1180341522
  • WOOOOOOWHOOOO!!!

    WOW!!! Played that about 15 times over and over just awesome!

    By trinimadcow 1180195110
  • ... and what about

    the liquid oxygen... it need to be just as abundent... let me guess we will get it from water... humm what shall we do with the left over hydrogen? wait wait i got it, lets use it as liquid hydrogen fuel ... ummm

    By knowless 1181865974
  • yeah,

    nice rocket, but can't say i'm that impressed with a fuel that produces CO2 when burned (primary greenhouse gas?). It a blue flame, sure, means it burns clean, sure, but burning clean = zero carbon monoxide & other such polutants /poisons, whcih is a good thing... but still doesn't resolve itself in todays carbon panicked society

    By Subtle Ploy 1181847993
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