Context

Stardust 1.0, a rocket powered by bio-derived fuel successfully took off from former military base in Maine.

About

What is Stardust 1.0?

• Stardust 1.0 is a launch vehicle suited for student and budget payloads.
• The rocket is 20 feet tall and has a mass of roughly 250 kg.
• Payloads: The rocket can carry a maximum payload mass of 8 kg and during its first launch carried three payloads. The payloads included:
  • a cubesat prototype built by highschool students
  • a metal alloy designed to lessen vibrations, which is developed by Kellogg’s Research Labs
  • a cubesat from software company Rocket Insights
• Manufactured by: The rocket is manufactured by bluShift, an aerospace company based in Maine that is developing rockets that are powered by bio-derived fuels. Other rockets being developed by the company include
  • Stardust Gen. 2, Starless Rouge and Red Dwarf, which is a low-Earth orbit (LEO) vehicle and is designed to fly a maximum payload of 30 kg.

First to be powered by biofuel

• Stardust 1.0 became the first commercial space launch powered by biofuel, which is non-toxic for the environment as opposed to traditionally used rocket fuels.
• Though the biofuel used for the launch is not yet clear, but as per the reports it can be sourced from farms around the world.

Significance of the rocket

• Cheaper and environment friendly: These rockets will help to launch small satellites called cubesats into space in a way that is relatively cheaper than using traditional rocket fuel and is less toxic for the environment.