Nitrous oxide inside the cells, by a process catalyzed by the enzyme nitrous oxide reductase. Nitrous oxide has significant global warming potential as a greenhouse gas. On a per-molecule basis, considered over a 100-year-period, nitrous oxide has 298 times the atmospheric heat-trapping ability of carbon dioxide (), however, because of its low concentration (less than 1/1000 of that of ), its contribution to the greenhouse effect is less than one-third that of carbon dioxide, and also less than water vapour and methane. On the other hand, since 38% or more of the entering the atmosphere is the result of human activity, and
Nitrous oxide fuel blend Nitrous oxide fuel blend Nitrous Oxide Fuel Blend propellants are a class of liquid rocket propellants intended to replace hydrazine as the standard rocket fuel. The fuel and oxidizer are blended and stored; this is sometimes referred to as a "mixed monopropellant". Upon use, the propellant is heated or passed over a catalyst bed and the nitrous oxide decomposes into oxygen-rich gasses. Combustion then ensues. Special care is needed in the chemical formulation and engine design to prevent detonating the stored fuel. The agent used for rocket fuel in a shuttle is paramount; weight, thrust, cost, toxicity, risk of explosions