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Posted by Karl Schendel on June 5, 2006, 1:21 pm
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vulture@vulturesquadron.com wrote:
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> I think the main application for NO2 in spaceflight is as a competitor
> for N2O2 in situations where a storable propellant is needed,
> particularly on manned spacecraft. Years ago it was assumed N2O4 would
> get "easier" to handle with time, but the cost of working with
> hazardous materials has not declined; the requirements for contingency
> preparations, training, medical support, PPE, etc remain a major cost
> that can outweigh the mass advantage of N2O4. NO2 is essentially
> nontoxic, though NASA requirements could end up specifying an (in my
> opinion) unnecessary level of protection that would make it just as
> expensive to use as N2O4.
You want to be more careful about your oxides of nitrogen.
I'm guessing that where you write NO2, you really meant N2O.
NO2 is the monomer of N2O4 and is every bit as evil.
N2O (nitrous oxide) has been used as a general anesthetic and is
indeed. comparatively nontoxic.
Karl
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> for N2O2 in situations where a storable propellant is needed,
> particularly on manned spacecraft.