The dream fuel of rocket engineers is liquid hydrogen. It develops more thrust per lb. than kerosene, the standard ingredient for liquid-fuel rockets. But because of its low boiling point ( 423° F.), it is hard to keep in liquid form, has to date proved too tricky for use in major rocketry.
Last week the Pratt & Whitney division of United Aircraft Corp. announced the development of a new engine in which balky liquid hydrogen is successfully harnessed. Under test, it ran dependably under simulated outer-space conditions, and developed a thrust of 15,000 lbs.
When hydrogen combines with oxygen, its hot exhaust...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
