Re: Alternative Fuels for Space Shuttles
You would still need LOx, but that is smaller volume and less cryogenic, so less problem. The Russians, and several prior US rockets, use(d) kerosene (better energetics than alcohols).
Unfortunately, any hydrocarbon (while safer) gives marginally less Isp, and the Shuttle is such a big heavy dumb design that it needs every second of Isp just to make LEO.