Scientists want to use a self-consuming rocket to help control the space junk problem

• UK researchers have designed a self-eating rocket engine that burns its own body for fuel.
• They hope the design can help curb the worsening junk problem in space.
• With some of its mass freed up, the rocket could be able to carry more cargo.

Scientists in the UK have developed a self-consuming rocket they hope can be used to reduce space junk.

A team of engineers at the University of Glasgow announced in a press release on Wednesday that they have built and tested an "autophage" — taken from the Latin word for "self-eating" — rocket engine that eats parts of itself for fuel.