In article ,
Len wrote:
...There are about four reasonable choices of oxidizer --
LOX, peroxide, N2O, and WFNA -- each with its own set of disadvantages.
LOX and peroxide both require meticulous cleanliness, LOX is cryogenic,
high-grade peroxide is costly and hard to get, N2O requires high pressure,
WFNA is highly corrosive.
If you are talking about a professional project,
cryogenic and cleanliness problems should be
maageable. IMO, the obvious choice is LOX.
It depends a little bit on configuration and mission profile; storability
at room temperature *is* an advantage, and if you work at it :-), you can
make it an important advantage.
That said, as on most things, I generally agree with Len. LOX is a clear
win on performance, and for a professional project its disadvantages are
manageable nuisances unless some unusual consideration intervenes.
For an amateur project, the tradeoffs change somewhat, and careful thought
is called for. Any of those four could be the winner, depending on details.
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MOST launched 1015 EDT 30 June, separated 1046, | Henry Spencer
first ground-station pass 1651, all nominal! |