Space Shuttle?

Question

Is it possible to send a space shuttle into space by using a alternate fuel like idk grease or something along those lines??

Answer 1

Not without a significant redesign.

Most rockets, the SS included, are engineered to a very fine performance line, with little margin for change or error.  Any other fuel would have a different specific mass and enthalpy, and those two factors flow down to almost every shuttle system (all the supports, all the timing mechanisms on the pumps, etc...)

So, short answer - no.

Answer 2

You'd need to re-design the engines to burn whatever that alternative fuel is, and you'd need a fuel that creates a similar reaction, or thrust, when burned.  

The shuttle was designed around the engines; they needed to be able to lift so much weight, using so much fuel.  You can alter the fuel, but the weight of it can't be much different, unless you redesign the spacecraft.

Answer 3

In short, no. Any alterations to do this would be impossibly expensive for a space vehicle nearing the end of it's life.  from an engineering point of view, it would be just as problematic, if not more so.

It might be possible to design a new vehicle that could, but factors such as energy density Vs weight of the fuel come into play.

Remember that the shuttle is essentially 1960's technology, even though it first flew in 1981, and despite numerous upgrades, redesigns and re-fittings.

Answer 4

The shuttle is incredibly heavy and currently only liquid bi-propellant with the help of two solid boosters are able to lift it.

However lighter craft can use different types of propulsion -- privatized space travel companies are even using "hybrid" rockets which contain synthetic rubber and an oxidizer to ignite it.

So, yes, it's possible to use other fuels -- assuming you also have an oxidizer.  But, to get a heavy payload like the shuttle into space requires a ton of fuel..