[whataretheysaying] Mary Madigan: Fart Proudly

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Posted by Mary Madigan:
Fart Proudly
http://whataretheysaying.powerblogs.com/posts/1178808634.shtml


   Via [1]NASA

     May 4, 2007: On January 16, 2007, a dazzling blue flame blasted
     across the sands of the Mojave desert. In many respects, it looked
     like an ordinary rocket engine test, but this was different. While
     most NASA rockets are powered by liquid oxygen and hydrogen or
     solid chemicals, "we were testing a methane engine," says project
     manager Terri Tramel of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

     The main engine, built and fired by the NASA contractor team
     Alliant Techsystems/XCOR Aerospace, is still in an early stage of
     development and isn't ready for space. But if the technology proves
     itself, methane engines like this one could eventually be key to
     deep space exploration.

   [2]methaneblast 
   Test firing of a 7,500 pound-thrust LOX/methane engine. [click photo
   to see [3]movie]

   ..more [4]here.

   * space news thanks to Bruce Parker, title thanks to [5]Ben F.

References

   1. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/04may_methaneblast.htm?list803281
   2. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/images/methaneblast/testfiring.wmv
   3. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/images/methaneblast/testfiring.wmv
   4. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/04may_methaneblast.htm?list803281
   5. http://www.amazon.com/Fart-Proudly-Writings-Benjamin-Franklin/dp/1583940790