"Initially a paste, the fuel is packed into a cylindrical mold with a metal rod running through the center. After it's frozen, the rod is removed, leaving a cavity running the length of the solid fuel cylinder. A small rocket engine above the fuel is ignited, sending hot gasses into the center hole, causing the ALICE fuel to ignite uniformly."
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/20 ... 161127.htm
This engine reacts powdered aluminum with water in a contained whirlpool to produce heat that powers the ramjet turbine. "It has 2.5 to 3 times the specific impulse of solid rocket propellants," Kam notes.
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology ... ation.html
Alice
Moderator: Mike Everman