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New Delhi (PTI) Mar 14, 2007 In a bid to reduce the cost of launching satellites, space scientists are exploring the use of kerosene to propel rockets into outer space, a first such attempt in the country. Scientists at ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) are carrying out research for the possible use of kerosene in the semi- cryogenic engines, which if successful will make satellite launches cheaper. Space scientists are engaged in research on the use of a mix of aviation grade kerosene and liquid oxygen as fuel for its semi-cryogenic engine, ISRO sources said. Usually, a mixture of liquid hydrogen and oxygen is used as rocket fuel where hydrogen works as the fuel and oxygen as the oxidiser. At the VSSC, scientists are studying the possibility of replacing hydrogen with kerosene. "It is not the normal kerosene we use in stoves, though we call it kerosene, it actually is highly refined paraffin," the sources said. "Kerosene is just one of the options being tested," they said. Finance Minister P Chidambaram has proposed an additional allocation of Rs 25 crore in this year's general budget for research in the area. He has also proposed to increase the allocation to the Department of Space by Rs 861.6 crore to Rs 3858.6 crore for the next financial year. Russia and the US have been using aviation-grade kerosene to launch rockets. Source: Press Trust of India Email This Article
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San Diego, CA (SPX) Mar 15, 2007A team led by General Atomics (GA) successfully tested a new method for generating electrical power on board a hypersonic vehicle. A magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) generator was operated to produce electrical power using the exhaust stream from a prototype hypersonic scramjet combustor simulating flight at Mach 8 conditions.
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