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Astronomy and Space

Exploration

What are the liquid fuels used by the space shuttles?

Liquid hydrogen is used as a fuel, with liquid oxygen used to burn it. These two fuels are stored in chambers separately and then mixed to combust the two. Because oxygen must be kept below –183°C to remain a liquid, and hydrogen must be at –253°C to remain a liquid, they are both difficult to handle, but make useful rocket fuel.



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