Kiwi space engineers win $75k grant for 'green' fuel

Dawn Aerospace CTO Stefan Powell toasts a marshmallow on a satellite thruster.

Mon, 12 Apr 2021

Christchurch space company Dawn Aerospace has been given a $75,000 grant to improve the fuel used to power its satellite propulsion system and make the space industry more sustainable.The hydrazine-based fuel traditionally used to move satellites through orbit is so toxic a single teaspoon could kill a room full of people.The propellant developed by Dawn Aerospace, which uses nitrous oxide and propene, is safe enough to toast marshmallows with. Chief technology officer Stefan Powell said having a non-toxic product reduces the need for ext...

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