Japan’s space industry took a major leap on Thursday as a start-up successfully tested a prototype rocket engine fueled entirely by cow dung. The groundbreaking experiment took place in the rural town of Taiki in Hokkaido, with the engine producing a blue-and-orange flame that shot out horizontally for 10-15 meters.
The fuel, known as “biomethane,” was derived from gas collected from cow manure obtained from local dairy farms. CEO Takahiro Inagawa of Interstellar Technologies expressed his enthusiasm for the environmental and economic benefits of this locally produced and cost-effective fuel.
Interstellar Technologies has high hopes for this technology, aiming to use it to put satellites into space. The company has partnered with industrial gas producer Air Water, which works with local farmers to process cow dung into biogas, which is then turned into rocket fuel.
With Japan’s limited resources, the need for domestically produced, carbon-neutral energy is critical. According to engineer Tomohiro Nishikawa of Air Water, the abundant cow manure in the region presents a valuable and sustainable energy source for Japan.
These developments come at a crucial time for Japan’s space industry, which has faced setbacks in recent years, including failed missions and mishaps with launch rockets. Despite these challenges, the ambitious use of biogas as rocket fuel marks a significant step forward for the sector.
The significance of biogas as a renewable fuel extends beyond Japan. It is already being used to power buses in the Indian city of Indore, demonstrating its potential as an eco-friendly alternative to conventional fuel sources.
This environmentally friendly approach also addresses the substantial carbon footprint of agriculture, which contributes to 14% of worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. Although burning biogas does release greenhouse gases, it is a more sustainable option than allowing it to degrade naturally, which can also have detrimental environmental effects.
Air Water’s biomethane has already been put to use in various capacities, from heating homes and powering vehicles to running pilot programs at local dairy farms and factories. Eiji Mizushita, a local farmer with 900 milk cows, has embraced the use of biogas, citing the importance of proper waste disposal and the potential for natural renewable energy.
Mizushita’s enthusiasm reflects the broader sentiment about the promising future of biogas as a sustainable energy source. With ongoing efforts to utilize cow waste for fuel, Japan is paving the way for a more environmentally friendly space industry and setting an example for the rest of the world.
This news article is credited to AFP.
