images by Wikimedia Commons
Hydrazine || Diazane || N2H4
I first heard about Hydrazine when it was mentioned in the book, The Space Race, which accompnied the TV series of the same name. It was mentioned by Soviet Russia’s Chief Designer, Sergei Korolev, who remained anonymous throughout his role of Chief Designer.
Hydrazine has many uses, but was used as rocket fuel during World War II in the first rocket powered fighter plane. Its uses also extend to propellant for thrusters on space craft.
Hydrazine is highly toxic and is extremely unstable when not handled in solution. When hydrazine reacts with a catalyst the reaction is very exothermic, in which temperatures can reach up to 800 °C, and also in which large amounts of hot gas are produced, which also makes it a reasonably good propellant in space.
