The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has turned to 3D printing once again to make science fiction into fact with a Methane-powered rocket turbo pump that rewrites all of the rules. Predictably, the results are simply spectacular.
Methane is a violent, aggressive fuel that is difficult to contain, especially when it’s pressurised to the levels required for space travel. Its explosive nature means it is far more efficient as a propulsion source than traditional fuels, but it requires specialist equipment and handling with care. Get Methane wrong and it is a disaster in the making.