Methane rocket fuel is easier to handle and convenient but, as Blue Origin saw, it can be very explosive

A physical chemist outlines the promises and risks associated with methane fuel and describes why SpaceX and Blue Origin use it in their superheavy rockets.

By: Ryan C. Fortenberry, University of Mississippi, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: June 5, 2026

Words: 1,083

Last Updated: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

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By Ryan C. Fortenberry, University of Mississippi

Going straight up is hard. It takes a lot of energy. For those of us who enjoy hiking, cycling or running, hills are the bane of our existence. The hills sap us of our strength and speed, and they require more effort than we often want to expend.

Rockets are the ultimate definition of vertical ascent: They go up, fast. They need lots of raw power, and they need …

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