The nitrate ion is isoelectronic with the carbonate ion. If one could reach into the nitrogen nucleus in the ion and "turn off" one proton, then would result, with the same arrangement of atom 3 centers and electrons.

The extra nuclear charge on nitrogen causes it to hold the delocalized electron more tightly, and discourages its binding a proton and making the undissociated acid molecule. The nitrate ion has a weaker attraction for protons than the carbonate ion, so nitric acid is stronger than carbonic acid.

The lunar excursion module from the Apollo moon landings used another oxide of nitrogen as part of its propellant. Its fuel was hydrazine and methyl hydrazine , and the oxidizer was dinitrogen tetroxide , a liquefied dimer of gaseous .

Combustion produced mainly nitrogen and water, with a few other oxides of nitrogen:

A big advantage for rocket design is that these two liquids are hypergolic. This means that they ignite spontaneously when mixed in the combustion chamber, making an ignition system for the rocket motor unnecessary.