Astronomy and SpaceExploration |
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.