| XCOR has just completed tests on a Methane fired | | | | States Air Force Research Lab is under writing some |
| pulse engine. This is incredible considering the | | | | of these tests. They too have many potential uses |
| possibilities and abundance of fuel. Methane can be a | | | | for this; everything from running UAVs (unmanned |
| bio-fuel as well and if this pans out it has all sorts of | | | | aerial vehicles) off of bio-waste to launching rockets, |
| space applications. This is truly a phenomenal break | | | | missiles and staging defense systems with long-tern |
| thru. But how does all this really work you ask? | | | | storage. Of course right now they are looking at it |
| Well the XCOR methane engine (3M9 LOX) fires in | | | | solely for space applications. |
| short rapid fire burst. They use self-pressurizing | | | | Everyone is pretty excited about this including NASA. |
| propellants. Methane is available on many planets and | | | | Why even the cows are cool with it and the |
| is easily stored for long periods of time, which makes | | | | environmentalists are ecstatic over the future |
| it an ideal fuel for space travel, space tourism and | | | | possibilities; very impressive indeed. Can you say Mars |
| kicking off the commercialization of space. Additionally | | | | fueling station for space exploration? I can. Think on |
| it has private aviation applications as well. | | | | this in 2006. |
| And let's not count out the Military, as the United | | | | |