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threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works

New propellant combo just dropped (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 2 weeks ago by threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works to c/spaceflightmemes@sh.itjust.works

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I propose the hydrogen cyanide - fluorine rocket.

It has the fabulous potential for a vacuum Isp of up to 380s, with a propellant mix density of 1023 kg/m^3, handily beating methalox mixes. It is non-cryogenic and burns at over 4000K.

Exhaust is 43.3% hydrogen fluoride.

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[–] NaibofTabr@infosec.pub 30 points 2 weeks ago (3 children)

Hydrogen fluoride (fluorane) is an inorganic compound with chemical formula HF. It is a very poisonous, colorless gas or liquid that dissolves in water to yield hydrofluoric acid.
[...]
Hydrogen fluoride is an extremely dangerous gas, forming corrosive and penetrating hydrofluoric acid upon contact with moisture. The gas can also cause blindness by rapid destruction of the corneas.

from Wikipedia

Oh yeah, sounds like fun.

Um, how quickly would this eat the bell nozzle? I feel like the rocket engine just wouldn't last very long.

[–] untakenusername@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 weeks ago

there's probably some material that would work for this, like the sort they use in the inside of the oxidizer turbopump in staged combustion rocket engines

[–] ryedaft@sh.itjust.works 6 points 2 weeks ago

Urgh, those burns are gross

[–] grillgamesh@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 2 weeks ago

my guess, with rough guesses via gut math? probably no longer than 5 minutes, with an ablative teflon coating. maybe longer if fired in short bursts to allow for ablated material to cool, but definitely not safe to fire within atmosphere.