The paper analyzes the potential use of powdered metallic fuels in environment ramjet engines operating in the atmospheres of planets with high carbon dioxide content, primarily Mars and Venus. The use of atmospheric CO2 as an oxidizer is considered a promising way to increase energy autonomy and reduce the complexity of planetary missions. Experimental and calculated data presented in modern Russian and international publications on the interaction of metal powders with carbon dioxide are used as source materials. A comparative analysis of aluminum, lithium, boron, and magnesium was conducted in terms of their thermochemical characteristics, ignition temperature, combustion kinetics, combustion efficiency, and the nature of the resulting products. It was shown that aluminum and boron, despite their high theoretical heat of reaction, exhibit pronounced surface passivation and significant condensed phase formation, which reduces their effectiveness in catalytic converters. Lithium exhibits high chemical activity, but its low density and complex kinetics of interaction with CO2 limit its practical applicability. Magnesium was found to provide the most favorable combination of energy and kinetic characteristics, a moderate ignition temperature, and high combustion efficiency. It was concluded that magnesium is the preferred powdered metallic fuel for catalytic converters using carbon dioxide as an atmospheric oxidizer and is of particular interest for further research.

EDN GKLQXV