‘Cow manure’ is being turned into space rocket fuel in Japan

Recently, Japanese space startup Interstellar Technologies Inc (IST) managed to achieve success. First effective test of prototype rocket engine that can be filled with ‘cow dung’. The ecological fuel was developed jointly with the Japanese company Air Water Group; It is a derivative of dairy cow manure collected from farms in the area.

The company conducted a static fire test with the fuel at a spaceport in Hokkaido, Japan. It is important to emphasize that the scientists did not use the cow manure itself, but actually extracted liquid biomethane gas (LBM) from the feces; the resulting product is used to power the Cosmos engine. The company’s goal is to use it in its under-development rocket called Zero.

/
Breaking news from the test stand??
\
Here’s a sneak peek of IST’s first static fire test using Liquid Biomethane? pic.twitter.com/695ld0kGmo

— Interstellar Technologies (@istellartech_en) December 7, 2023

In simpler terms, Air Water Group is responsible for converting cattle manure gas into LBM. The company claims: In addition to being an environmentally friendly method, liquid biomethane has lower cost, better performance and lower environmental impact. In recent years, methane has been extensively researched for use by private space agencies and companies such as SpaceX.

“We do this not only because it’s good for the environment, but also because it can be produced locally, is very economical, and is a high-performance, high-purity fuel. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to assume that this is what Interstellar Technologies CEO Takahiro Inagawa said in an official statement. “We are the first private company to do so,” he said.

Cow dung in rockets

In the experiment conducted last Thursday (14), The engine threw blue and orange flames that spread up to 15 meters into an open door in the test hangar. Interstellar Technologies’ goal is to use the fuel to power rockets designed to launch satellites into space.

Using fertilizer to produce LBM could significantly help reduce methane on Earth, one of the gases that contribute to climate change. Biomethane is produced from manure collected by local farmers on many dairy farms in the region.

“I’m excited to think that our cow waste could be used to make these.” [foguete] fly. We must dispose and use manure properly. I also think that the government and society should look more seriously at the importance of renewable natural energy and encourage its production,” said Eiji Mizushita, one of the farmers who provided fertilizer.

Did you like the content? So follow all the news about technology and sustainability at TecMundo. If you wish, take the opportunity to understand what Greentech, that is, ‘green startups’ are and why they have become valuable.