12-02-2021 | 15:02 PM
Stardust 1.0
Context
On January 31, Stardust 1.0 was launched from a former military base in the US called Loring Commerce Centre. This became the 1st commercial space launch powered by biofuel, which is non-toxic for the environment opposed to traditionally used rocket fuels.
About Stardust 1.0
The rocket is manufactured by bluShift, which is an aerospace company based in Maine developing rockets, which are powered by bio-derived fuels.
The launch vehicle Stardust 1.0 is suitable for student and budget payloads.
The rocket is 20 feet tall and has a mass of roughly 250 kgs and it can carry a maximum payload mass of 8 kgs.
In its first launch, the rocket carried three payloads including:
A metal alloy which is designed to lessen vibrations.
A CubeSat prototype which was built by high school students.
A CubeSat that was procured from software company Rocket Insights.
These rockets will help to launch small satellites called “Cubesats” into space in a way which is relatively cheaper than using traditional rocket fuel and is less toxic for the environment.
About Biofuels
Any hydrocarbon fuel that is produced from an organic matter (living or once living material) in a short period of time (days, weeks, or even months) is considered a biofuel.
It is not produced by the usual slow geological processes of formation of fossil fuels like oil.
The two most common kinds of biofuels in use today are ethanol and biodiesel and they both represent the first generation of biofuel technology.
Biofuels are of 3 types:
Solid Biofuels such as Wood, dried plant material, and manure.
Liquid Biofuels such as Bioethanol and Biodiesel.
Gaseous Biofuels like biogas.