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Could ‘SpaceSAF’ Enable a Sustainable Future for Spaceflight?

New solution introduced by Salt Lake City-based CleanJoule promises to reduce spaceflight emissions while improving fuel energy density.

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 10:00 AM ET

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SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket runs on 27 Merlin engineers powered by RP-1, a common rocket propellant for which CleanJoule says it has developed a “drop-in” replacement. [Courtesy: SpaceX/Flickr]

Key Takeaways:

CleanJoule has introduced SpaceSAF, a 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) designed as a direct "drop-in" replacement for traditional rocket propellants like RP-1.
Derived from waste biomass, SpaceSAF aims to significantly reduce spaceflight emissions and offers a 4% improvement in energy density over petroleum-based fuels, potentially boosting mission range or payload capacity.
The fuel is compatible with existing rocket systems and is currently undergoing static engine testing, with full-scale trials planned for 2025 to provide a sustainable option for space launch providers.

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To reach net-zero emissions by 2050—a target widely held by members of an aviation industry that is responsible for about 2 percent of carbon dioxide emissions globally—researchers estimate that sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) will contribute to about 65 percent of that goal.

Efforts to promote the switch to SAF have largely focused on the commercial aviation sector. But one Utah-based firm is looking at a different kind of aviation: spaceflight.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.