Why is hydrogen not a rocket fuel?

In combination with an oxidizer such as liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen yields the highest specific impulse, or efficiency in relation to the amount of propellant consumed, of any known rocket propellant. Metals exposed to the extreme cold of liquid hydrogen become brittle.

Which fuel is used in space shuttle?

liquid hydrogen
The Space Shuttle’s large External Tank is loaded with more than 500,000 gallons of super-cold liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, which are mixed and burned together to form the fuel for the orbiter’s three main rocket engines.

Can hydrogen gas be used as fuel?

Hydrogen fuel is a zero-carbon fuel burned with oxygen; provided it is created in a zero-carbon way. It can be used in fuel cells or internal combustion engines (see HICEV). In a flame of pure hydrogen gas, burning in air, the hydrogen (H2) reacts with oxygen (O2) to form water (H2O) and releases energy. …

Can you ignite hydrogen in space?

There might be some localized combustion, but it would quickly burn out, just as the fire from the hydrogen in the Hindenburg zeppelin did.” According to Cain, basically it would require half as much oxygen as there is hydrogen in Jupiter’s atmosphere.

Can a car engine run on hydrogen?

Hydrogen has a wide flammability range in comparison with all other fuels. As a result, hydrogen can be combusted in an internal combustion engine over a wide range of fuel-air mix- tures. A significant advantage of this is that hydrogen can run on a lean mixture.

Is hydrogen more flammable than gasoline?

Free hydrogen is extremely reactive. It is ten times more flammable than gasoline, and twenty times more explosive. And the flame of a hydrogen fire is invisible. This makes it very dangerous to work with, particularly in fueling stations and transportation vehicles.

Is hydrogen used as rocket fuel?

For decades, NASA has relied upon hydrogen gas as rocket fuel to deliver crew and cargo to space. With the Centaur, Apollo and space shuttle vehicles, NASA has developed extensive experience in the safe and effective handling of hydrogen.

What fuel does NASA use for rockets?

hydrogen gas
NASA’s hydrogen and fuel cell technologies are used for many purposes. NASA has relied upon hydrogen gas as rocket fuel to deliver crew and cargo to space. With the recent focus on human missions to the moon and eventually Mars, hydrogen will continue to be innovatively stored, measured, processed and employed.

How much does a gallon of hydrogen fuel cost?

Hydrogen fuel is much more efficient than gasoline, but it’s also four times more expensive, roughly equivalent to about $16 a gallon.

Does rocket fuel contain hydrogen?

The rocket is entirely fuelled with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen cryogenic propellants.

Do hydrogen cars produce NOx?

Hydrogen does not contain carbon. However, hydrogen combustion with air produces oxides of nitrogen, known as NOx, against emission regulations. In this way, the combustion process is much like other high temperature combustion fuels, such as kerosene, gasoline, diesel or natural gas.