This very hot steam/oxygen mixture can then be used to generate maximal thrust, power, or work, but it also makes explosive decomposition of the material far more hazardous.
[5] HTP has been used safely and successfully in many applications, beginning with German usage during World War II, and continues to the present day.
[6] During World War II, high-test peroxide was used as an oxidizer in some German bipropellant rocket designs, such as the Walter HWK 509A rocket engine that powered the Messerschmitt Me 163 point defense interceptor fighter late in World War II, comprising 80% of the standardized mixture T-Stoff, and also in the German Type XVII submarine.
Driven by the Cold War competition, they ordered the development of a larger HTP torpedo, to be fired from the 65-centimeter (26-inch) tubes.
British experiments with HTP as a torpedo fuel were discontinued after a peroxide fire resulted in the loss of the submarine HMS Sidon (P259) in 1956.
Black Arrow rockets successfully launched the Prospero X-3 satellite from Woomera, South Australia using HTP and kerosene fuel.
From a low level launch, it would climb to only 40,000 feet (12,000 metres) but its speed would still be around Mach 2.0 With concentration of 82%, it is still in use on the Russian Soyuz rocket to drive the turbopumps on the boosters and on the orbital vehicle.
Propellant-grade hydrogen peroxide is being used on current military systems and is in numerous defense and aerospace research and development programs.
HTP was planned for use in an attempt to break the land speed record with the Bloodhound SSC car, aiming to reach over 1,000 miles per hour (1,600 km/h).
[10] Other companies that have made propellant-grade hydrogen peroxide in the recent past include Air Liquide and DuPont.
In typical circumstances, this chemical is sold only to companies or government institutions that have the ability to properly handle and utilize the material.
[14] Since many common substances catalyze peroxide's exothermic decomposition into steam and oxygen, handling of HTP requires special care and equipment.
Therefore, sites that handle hydrogen peroxide are often equipped with emergency showers, and have hoses and people on safety duty.