In a bold attempt to integrate agro-energy into the space sector, Japan has successfully tested a rocket engine powered by biogas produced from cow dung. This initiative, led by Interstellar Technologies, marks a potentially historic milestone in the use of renewable energies in space exploration. According to Takahiro Inagawa, Interstellar’s CEO, this approach aims not only to protect the environment, but also to make the most of an abundant and profitable local resource.
The company has teamed up with Air Water, a producer of industrial gases, to transform local cow dung into liquid biomethane, a high-purity fuel. This project illustrates a fruitful collaboration between the technological and agricultural sectors, highlighting the untapped potential of local energy resources in Japan. Tomohiro Nishikawa, engineer at Air Water, underlines the strategic importance of this resource in the context of national energy security.
International context and environmental issues
This development comes at a time when Japan, faced with recent failures in the aerospace sector, is looking for innovative alternatives. Already used worldwide as an alternative fuel, biogas offers a solution to agriculture’s considerable environmental footprint, responsible for 14% of greenhouse gas emissions according to Greenpeace.
Local Involvement and Sustainable Vision
The involvement of local farmers, including Eiji Mizushita and his 900 cattle, testifies to Japan’s commitment to ecological and sustainable solutions. Mr. Mizushita’s system transforms cow dung into biogas, fertilizer and bedding, reducing waste and promoting a circular economy.
Japan’s initiative to power a rocket with biogas from cow dung reveals immense potential in the marriage of agriculture and space technology, offering a new and sustainable perspective on space exploration.
