If there’s a chemical with a cooler name than “fuming nitric acid,” we can’t think of it. Nearly pure nitric acid is useful stuff, especially if you’re in the business of making rocket ...

Stuffed porpoise stomachs and blood custard for the rich, pickled carrots for the poor, and ale for all. Europeans in the ...

Historically, China’s rockets have relied on dangerous fuels such as nitrogen tetroxide, liquid hydrazine and “red fuming nitric acid”. These compounds form a highly effective propellant ...