StarChaser rocket explores the use of tyre rubber as a fuel

ERJ staff report (DS)

Hyde, UK -- The UK-based commercial rocket project called StarChaser said it is investigating tyre rubber as a possible rocket fuel.

StarChaser and other rockets have often looked at low- molecular weight polybutadiene materials (HTPB), but now the StarChaser group is exploring other rubber materials as well.

The company said, "Fuels currently under evaluation include HTPB rubber, white polythene, polythene + carbon, polypropylene, HTPB + tyre rubber, HTPB + aluminium, acrylic and ultra high molecular weight polythene. In each case a sample of exhaust gases are being trapped and analysed. The most environmentally friendly fuels will then be further tested in the one tonne thrust engine.

Also, if anyone is interested, the project is looking for astronauts - scroll down to the bottom of the link and click on "Astronauts Wanted..."

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Press release from StarChaser project