Interstellar Technologies, a private Japanese company, carried out a test of a space engine powered by liquid biomethane produced from recycled cattle manure. The test took place at a dedicated facility in Taiki, a village on Japan’s northern Hokkaido island, and was reported by Phys.org with reference to data from Agence France-Presse. The demonstration highlighted the company’s ongoing exploration of sustainable propellants by using methane derived from livestock waste as a clean energy source for space propulsion. The details describe a controlled firing at the test site, signifying a milestone in the development of alternative fuels for aerospace applications. The testing team emphasized that the aim was to assess the stability and performance of the engine when fed with biomethane produced from local dairy operations, underscoring a broader push toward energy resilience and innovation in the Japanese space sector. The sourcing of raw materials from nearby farms illustrated a closed-loop approach, connecting agricultural waste management with high-tech propulsion research in a practical setting.
During the 10-second burn, the rocket engine operated on liquid biomethane sourced from cattle waste, using feedstock obtained from two neighboring dairy farms. The trial focused on verifying fuel handling, ignition reliability, combustion efficiency, and overall thrust characteristics under realistic operating conditions. Observers noted the transient nature of the test, which was designed to gather data on fuel behavior, pressure dynamics, and thermal management at the engine inlet and exhaust. This early-stage testing contributes to understanding how manure-derived methane performs in a propulsion system, offering a potential pathway to diversify Japan’s fuel options for future space missions.
Interstellar Technologies’ chief executive officer, Takahiro Inagawa, has publicly framed the achievement as a meaningful step toward converting fertilizer into high-performance fuel suitable for aerospace use. The company envisions expanding the biomethane program by scaling production and integrating it into satellite-launch initiatives in collaboration with Air Water, a Japanese partner named for its expertise in atmospheric and environmental technologies. The strategic plan involves leveraging locally produced biomethane to support a recurring launch cadence, potentially reducing dependency on conventional fossil fuels while broadening the supply chain for space missions. The collaboration with Air Water is described as a crucial component in realizing a practical pathway from waste management to orbital deployment, aligning with broader national ambitions to strengthen critical energy and transportation infrastructure for space activities.
Industry observers note that the concept of using livestock waste as an energy resource aligns with Japan’s broader energy security goals. The country has limited domestic reserves of coal, oil, and natural gas, prompting ongoing research into alternative fuels and sustainable propulsion options for aerospace and defense applications. The Taiki test exemplifies how agricultural byproducts can be repurposed to support high-tech industries, potentially enabling more resilient energy systems while reducing waste streams associated with livestock farming. The success of this pilot could catalyze further investment in biomethane production facilities, infrastructure for clean fuel handling, and regulatory pathways that facilitate pilot projects transitioning toward commercial-scale operations in the aerospace sector.
At a related pace, researchers in other regions, including Russia, have explored converting farm byproducts into high-energy fuel using modalities such as microwave radiation. These parallel efforts reflect a global interest in turning organic waste into practical energy solutions, though the specific chemistry, scale, and regulatory environments differ across regions. The emerging narrative points to a shared recognition that sustainable fuels can play a pivotal role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy independence, particularly in high-capital industries like space exploration. This interconnected research ecosystem continues to push the boundaries of how waste streams can contribute to advanced propulsion technology, while pilot programs provide empirical data that inform policy, funding decisions, and future commercialization strategies.