
The Russian NPO Energomash has developed Acetam high-performance fuel (a highly concentrated acetylene solution in liquefied ammonia), which increases the energy efficiency of rocket engines by a third, Vladimir Solntsev, executive director of Energomash, told Interfax.
"With the new fuel, we are able to increase the engine energy by 20-30%," he said. According to him, new fuel can be used in engines of launch vehicle stages, in booster blocks. For the development of Acetam, NGOs in 2011 won a grant of 4,5 million rubles. In the first quarter of 2013, we are participating in a competition for a grant in the amount of about 30 million rubles. We are sure that we will win this grant, "said Solntsev.
- Tests of the new Angara rocket will end in 2012 year
He said that the advantage of new fuel is the use of cheap components - acetylene and ammonia. The downside is its high explosion hazard, as is the case with many other types of rocket fuel.