Let's cut to the chase. Titan has liquid Methane lakes on the surface, and water underground.
Methalox is a shortened name for Methane-Oxygen Fuel.
If we take Methane from the lakes, Water from underground, then we have the ingredients for Methalox.
There's a process called Electrolysis. It's where you run Electricity through Water, and the Oxygen splits from the Hydrogen.
Oxygen, though a gas atom at room temperature, can become liquid when cooled. Titan is really cold. If we bring it to the surface, then cool it down a bit more (~15 degrees Celsius) then it becomes liquid.
Methane plus Liquid Oxygen equals rocket fuel.
Plus, Liquid Oxygen isn't just used for Methalox. It's the most common propellant for rockets. Though not all rockets use Methane fuel, Liquid Oxygen can still be used for Refined Kerosene (RP-1) rockets.
In conclusion, I'm bored and need to stop planning out theoretical missions that make my brain happy because it's probably not happening in my lifetime.
Well, that's my two cents.
-Coach West, Elyria Robotics (fyi not me)
Methalox is a shortened name for Methane-Oxygen Fuel.
If we take Methane from the lakes, Water from underground, then we have the ingredients for Methalox.
There's a process called Electrolysis. It's where you run Electricity through Water, and the Oxygen splits from the Hydrogen.
Oxygen, though a gas atom at room temperature, can become liquid when cooled. Titan is really cold. If we bring it to the surface, then cool it down a bit more (~15 degrees Celsius) then it becomes liquid.
Methane plus Liquid Oxygen equals rocket fuel.
Plus, Liquid Oxygen isn't just used for Methalox. It's the most common propellant for rockets. Though not all rockets use Methane fuel, Liquid Oxygen can still be used for Refined Kerosene (RP-1) rockets.
In conclusion, I'm bored and need to stop planning out theoretical missions that make my brain happy because it's probably not happening in my lifetime.
Well, that's my two cents.
-Coach West, Elyria Robotics (fyi not me)