A.R.S.E.

Great vids! Thanks Flinty.

Here's some interesting stuff about the rocket engine:

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Geez, the total lack of understanding - by YouTube posters - of any of the engineering principles behind this is truly staggering.

1) The thing will be destroyed if it hits a rock.

Answer: Of course it will. That's why the team - dozens of people - spent a month clearing the 14 mile stretch of dry lake of rocks.

2) There's no sonic boom.

Answer: That's because the vehicle hasn't run yet. All the videos are CGI.

3) It won't make a sonic boom because that only happens in the air.

Answer: Wrong. Thrust SSC made a very clear double-bang.

4) It uses a Chevy V8 and a reciprocating engine can't pump rocket fuel because of hydraulic lock. The whole thing is bullshit.

Answer: The reciprocating engine, which is a retired F1 engine and not a Chevy V8, can pump any fluid of reasonably low viscosity if it is connected to a pump.

Bozhe moi...

[youtube] [/youtube]

Impressive.

Apparently the pressure could fill a bath in about three seconds... That's a hell of a fuel flow.

[youtube] [/youtube]

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Somehow I missed this. Apparently Cosworth are no longer involved, since they are not making F1 engines any more. Jaguar have taken it on instead:

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30367591

Love the engineering behind it.

I like the engineering at the front of it.

That was a great video.

I would have liked a little less talk about the Jaguar engine and a bit more about the pump. It's kind of funny about how it was explained. Chris Harris seems to think it's all insane but he doesn't say why. I got the impression he didn't understand it. I had no idea of what they were talking about and I actually already understand it quite well. I think they should have said something like "This pump, driven by that engine, will empty that huge tank in XX seconds". The pump itself has some unique features. So does the rocket motor, which I believe is partially throttleable. The pump has a unique priming system which is worthy of attention. Also, the lattice frame in the main section of the vehicle may look old fashioned but it's a classic Warren truss (no relation to the Nats leader). on a strength to weight basis, it's still extremely good and while they may have used it in part as a cost saving measure, you can bet it wasn't cheap to produce.

That said, I really enjoyed the close ups of the manufacture and the explanation of the components. Also the simulation in the aircraft was excellent. I tried to do those anti G maneuvers while I was watching. You must keep breathing, which is difficult. I am simply not fit enough. I've pulled 5G in a MiG-15 about 12 years ago and believe me, it seriously tests you. I was doing it a bit differently too - breathing against a closed glottis it a major part of it. I could feel Chris Harris's pain right there. He's probably got good G tolerance because he's small and solidly built. Tall people like me usually find it harder. 5G for 30 seconds is a nightmare if you're not used to it.

OMFG!!!

BLOODHOUND Supersonic First Record Attempt October 2017

BLOODHOUND announces date for world record attempt: October 2017 

We're delighted to announce that the target date for BLOODHOUND's 800mph world land speed record attempt is October 2017; 20 years after Thrust SSC set the existing record. Funding has been secured, with major deals recently signed, and race preparation is underway for high speed runs at the Hakskeen Pan, Northern Cape, South Africa, in Autumn next year. 

BLOODHOUND SSC will travel under its own power for the first time at Newquay in June 2017, in a slow speed shakedown test at around 220mph (354km/h). This will also be an opportunity for the team to practice live-streaming data and imagery from the car. 

Project Director Richard Noble said, “This is probably the biggest moment in the Project’s history - now we can put our foot down and really go for it! We’re in this position thanks to the incredible support of our partners and sponsors, and the dedication and sacrifice of many people, including a skeleton crew who have held the fort recently. Most of all it has been the amazing public response that has sustained us. Thousands of children up and down the country are racing Model Rocket Cars and there is tremendous public enthusiasm for the Project wherever we go.

We have come through this difficult stage wiser, leaner and fitter. BLOODHOUND is now in Race Preparation which means the pace and the pressure will ramp up but so too will the sense of satisfaction as we head towards our Car breaking the sound barrier for the first time, with the world watching!”

Astonishing what they've done.

The project to race a car at over 1,000mph has run into a financial roadblock with the company behind the venture going into administration.

The Bloodhound supersonic vehicle is all but built but needs a £25m investment if it is to break records on a dried-out lakebed in South Africa.

The administrators, FRP Advisory LLP, have already begun to talk to potential suitors and want to hear from others.

But without the funds the project faces being wound up in the coming weeks.

Oh man, I did wonder as their social media channels have been pretty quite for a while now.
I would have thought the British Government wouldn't let it fail, didn't they back it to some extent given they wanted to inspire a new science & engineering generation?

Hard for Government's to fund these types of operations these days. Yes they will inspire the next generation of scientists but are they solving any problems that will benefit society? Would be seen as wasteful.

They need Branson or Musk to throw them some cash.

The future of the Bloodhound SSC project has been secured, with Yorkshire-based entrepreneur Ian Warhurst buying the business and assets of the 1000mph land speed record car.

No Uber Eats?