Scientists have discovered a bacterium that can transform ammonium, commonly found in urine into hydrazine, a rocket fuel.

The anaerobic ammonium oxidation germs or anammox for short were first discovered in the 1990s but it wasn't until recently that scientists have finally unlocked how the bacteria actually did this.

The research, published by the British science journal Nature, can be used to make a better and more efficient version of the bacteria that can turn human waste into rocket fuel.

"Proving this was quite a feat," said Mike Jetten, professor of microbiology at Radboud University's Institute for Water and Wetland Research.

"We had to deploy a range of new experimental methods. In the end, we managed to isolate the protein complex responsible for hydrazine production, a beautifully red mixture."

The team's initial work initially sparked NASA interest as the bacteria could provide a way to safely eliminate waste in outer space and turn it into rocket fuel. Unfortunately the bacteria didn't provide nearly enough hydrazine to warrant more research.

"Now we are accurately determining the crystal structure of the protein complex. Perhaps we can improve the production process if we have a better understanding of how the protein complex fits together," said Jetten.

Anammox is now being used in water purification because it is so efficient in breaking down ammonia in water. It also has the potential to act as a bio-fuel, cleaning sewerage sludge and providing methane in return.

Scientists are still a long way from developing bacteria that can convert urine into the fuel that would send mankind to Mars but this research is the first step towards that future.