Developed a Hybrid Rocket Engine Powered by Plastic

From earth to space, from land to sea and air, environmental health and climate have become extremely important. For this reason, green solutions are tried to be produced by making improvements in accordance with the environment in all vehicles working with engines. Perhaps the most interesting of these is the rocket engine powered by plastic.

A hybrid rocket engine powered by recycled plastic, developed by the UK-based startup Pulsar Fusion, was tested. The rocket uses a hybrid fuel made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and a nitrous oxide oxidizer found in plastic products, including detergent and beverage bottles. This has become an interesting innovation for powering energy-intensive rockets.

Tests passed positive

Pulsar Fusion has conducted the first static test of this hybrid engine at the UK Ministry of Defense military base. An international show was also held for space industry customers from Switzerland. Richard Dinan, CEO of Pulsar Fusion, said that they were pleased with the test firings in the UK, saying, “Testing a British rocket on UK soil is something new. Pulsar is among the rare companies worldwide to build and test these technologies. “We have a great team of scientists with a wealth of experience to thank for making these milestones happen.”

Using plastics, which are ubiquitous, difficult to recycle properly and consistently, and perceived as a source of pollution, to launch rockets can be a powerful step. One of the main goals of Pulsar Fusion is to combat nuclear fusion propulsion. Fusion could actually halve the travel time to Mars and reduce the need for rockets to carry heavy fuel payloads into space, but the ‘green’ rocket that Pulsar Fusion is testing could be an unlimited source of power.