Their Isp is very low, unfortunately, because the molecular weight of the combus... | Hacker News

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		pfdietz 61 days ago \| parent \| context \| favorite \| on: Space Elevator Their Isp is very low, unfortunately, because the molecular weight of the combustion gas is too high. Ditto for oxygen/carbon monoxide. Maybe the Isp could be increased by mixing in some helium, but helium is very expensive.

LargoLasskhyfv 61 days ago [–]

Methalox should suffice for practical and technical reasons?

Compensate the slight loss of ISP by using aerospiked rotating detonation engines...

pfdietz 61 days ago | [–]

Methalox contains hydrogen (methane is CH4), which turns into water, either in the engine, or oxidized by the atmosphere after being expelled.

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