Japan’s space industry opens potentially an udder-ly new chapter with a start-up testing a prototype rocket engine that runs on fuel derived purely from cow dung. Resource-poor Japan “must secure domestically produced, carbon-neutral energy now”, said Tomohiro Nishikawa, an engineer at Air Water

A Japanese startup is testing a prototype rocket engine that runs on fuel derived from cow dung. The startup works with local farmers who process their cow dung into biogas. Air Water then collects the biogas and turns it into rocket fuel. 

In the experiment, the engine produced a blue-and-orange flame that shot out of an open hangar door for about 10 seconds. The flame reached 10-15 meters (30-50 feet) horizontally. 

Cow dung contains valuable minerals like nitrogen and phosphorus, which are necessary for plant growth. It also contains organic material that can release energy in the form of methane. Methane is the basis for Compressed Natural Gas. 

Dry dung fuel is animal feces that has been dried for use as a fuel source. It’s used in many countries, but one disadvantage is that it can increase air pollution. In India, it’s known as “dung cakes”.

Cow dung has many uses, including: 

• Manure: Cow dung is rich in nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It also contains cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. 
• Compost: Cow dung can be composted into fertilizer for agriculture and garden plants. 
• Fuel: Cow dung can be mixed with other fuels to increase energy density. 
• Disinfectant: Cow dung has antibacterial properties and can be used to disinfect areas. 
• Skin tonic: Cow dung has antibacterial and antifungal effects and can be used to treat psoriasis and eczema. 

Cow dung also contains microorganisms that can increase soil fertility

Cow dung has many benefits, including: 

• Compost: Composting cow dung recycles nutrients and produces compost rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other micronutrients. This compost can nourish crops and minimize the need for external fertilizers. 
• Building material: Cow dung is an eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and zero waste building material. 
• Fuel: Cow dung logs are a renewable and organic fuel source that produce less smoke and are cost-effective. 
• Insect repellent: Manure can repel insects. 
• Paper: Manure can be used as a raw material for making paper. 
• Biogas: Cow dung and cow urine can be used to generate biogas and electricity.

Yes, a Japanese startup called Interstellar Technologies has successfully tested a prototype rocket engine that runs on cow dung. The test was a bold attempt to integrate agro-energy into the space sector. 

Interstellar Technologies partnered with Air Water, an industrial gas producer, to collect and process the cow dung into biogas. The biogas was then turned into rocket fuel. The liquid biomethane used in the experiment came from two local dairy farmers. 

The engine propelled a flame of about ten meters horizontally for a few seconds. Interstellar Technologies hopes to use the fuel to put satellites in space.

Interstellar, which hopes to be able to put satellites in space using the fuel, teamed up with industrial gas producer firm Air Water. It works with local farmers who have equipment on their farms to process their cow dung into biogas which Air Water collects and turns into the rocket fuel(full article source google)

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