Methalox plume
Raptors run on methalox—a mixture of liquid methane and liquid oxygen. This results in a plume that varies in color from blue to light orange or white—a sign of clean, efficient combustion. The exhaust, primarily consisting of carbon dioxide and water vapor, is cleaner and less sooty compared to other hydrocarbon-fueled engines. In the Earth’s atmosphere, the high water vapor content in the exhaust creates contrails, while in space, the plume spreads out widely due to the absence of atmospheric pressure. These engines are environmentally friendlier and are being considered for future Mars missions due to methane’s potential for synthesis on Mars.
