Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) is a alcohol fuel propellant used as a fuel. Excellent — stable, storable at ambient temperature. Typical ISP: 250–290 s (with LOX) seconds.
Ethanol (ethyl alcohol) was one of the earliest liquid rocket fuels, famously powering the German V-2 rocket as a 75% ethanol/25% water mixture. It offers reasonable performance with LOX, easy handling, and low toxicity. While largely replaced by RP-1 in modern rockets, ethanol is seeing renewed interest for small launch vehicles and reusable test platforms.
Used in V-2 (A-4), Redstone, and early American sounding rockets. Was the primary rocket fuel before kerosene standardization in the 1950s.
Safe, non-toxic, readily available, regeneratively cools well, renewable source possible
Lower Isp and density than RP-1, water content needed for cooling reduces performance
