Electrolysis and Hydro-Rocket

[JMBuilder]

For when resource systems are implemented, you could take water and put it through "electrolysis," the process where you split it into Hydrogen and Oxygen. The Hydrogen and Oxygen could then be used in a special rocket called a "Hydro-Rocket," where you could make them react and form water once again, creating a forceful blast in the process.

This system would work great for amphibious landers on Laythe. You could use all the fuel you had just to land the craft, then just put some water through electrolysis to refuel your craft.

[NoMrBond]

Using liquid H₂ and O₂ (LH2/LOX) is pretty standard for cryogenic rocket engines.

Once resources and different fuel types come in, could be a distinct possibility, although I wouldn't think the lakes on Laythe would be water.

[JMBuilder]

That's odd... It seems so much like water.

[NoMrBond]

I would guess liquid methane due to the likely surface temperature at that distance from Kerbol?

Once science comes in we can find out exactly what it is

Once resources are in we can find out what we can use it for

[Beeman]

That is if they implement resources as amazing and complex as they showed in that flow chart that one time. I know I'd LOVE to see it, but they seem to want to simplify the system...a lot.

They might even hold resources and mining off for an expansion, like they talked about in that stream that made everyone angry. Then again, maybe not because it made everyone angry. Hmm...

Either way, here's hopin' they don't stray too far from that awesome flow chart because honestly...we need that glorious depth added to the game and I'd be willing to wait 'till the very last update, even, if that's what it took!

Also, they don't use real-world elements. They use things like propellium, oxium, xeon(I think) and so on @.,@

[Anton P. Nym]

I would guess liquid methane due to the likely surface temperature at that distance from Kerbol?

Not if there's oxygen in the atmosphere... (CH4 +O2 + anything resembling a spark = kaboom)

Once science comes in we can find out exactly what it is

Once resources are in we can find out what we can use it for

I'd bet it's brine warmed past its melting point by tidal heating from Jool, but of course you're right that this is the realm of SCIENCE!

-- Steve

edited to add: To get back on topic *cough* I'd be glad to see the ability to make fuel from volatiles make its way into KSP's stock parts list; it'd give a very good reason to add comets and icy moons to the Kerbol system, and to visit them.

Edited August 23, 2013 by Anton P. Nym
Er, fixing inadverntant thread-jack

[Blue]

Electrolysis is a great way to harvest hydrogen and oxygen from water resources. The only way it isn't done on earth naturally is that its inefficient in terms of its inordinate electrical demand, compared to other industrial processes on earth. (Most hydrogen on earth is procured as a byproduct of fossil fuels extraction.)