Rocket fuel goes green with ionic liquids

Military researchers in the US have developed a novel 'green' rocket fuel whose constituents are less corrosive and toxic than those used in conventional propellant systems. 

Rockets are typically powered by bipropellant systems, where a powerful oxidising agent reacts with a fuel to spontaneously ignite, a reaction termed hypergolic. Oxidisers include nitric acid or dinitrogen tetroxide, which are corrosive and release toxic fumes, with fuels such as hydrazine, which is also poisonous and highly unstable.  More...

http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2011/May/18051101.asp