Back in the middle of the last century, the first patent was granted for engine technology that “eats” its parts by using them as fuel, but with the technology of the time and the use of predominantly heavy rockets, it was not possible to realize the corresponding concept. Now scientists from the University of Glasgow in Scotland have produced a prototype small rocket engine that can “devour” its tank by burning it, demonstrating that the concept is workable.
The researchers presented their creation, named “Ouroboros-3” in honor of the self-absorbing kite, in early January at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ SciTech forum. The working prototype includes an engine, a propane-oxygen fuel pair, and a plastic tube that acts as a fuel tank. Once the fuel runs out, the engine is “fueled” directly by the tube, which supplies up to 20 percent of the total fuel, creating a thrust of 100 newtons.
