The Russians are replacing the hypergolic fueled Proton with a new kerolox fueled launcher called Angara. Hypergolics are still used in upper stages and in things like RCS thrusters etc.,but the amounts are of course much smaller than in the first stage.
WRT firefighting foams, there are apparently some green (sugar-based IIRC) alternatives that are almost as good as the fluorine based surfactants used today.
For rocket launches the spraying you see is plain water, and it's done for sound suppression, not to get a head start on putting out the fire in case the rocket blows up.
The Russians are replacing the hypergolic fueled Proton with a new kerolox fueled launcher called Angara. Hypergolics are still used in upper stages and in things like RCS thrusters etc.,but the amounts are of course much smaller than in the first stage.
WRT firefighting foams, there are apparently some green (sugar-based IIRC) alternatives that are almost as good as the fluorine based surfactants used today.
For rocket launches the spraying you see is plain water, and it's done for sound suppression, not to get a head start on putting out the fire in case the rocket blows up.