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Chris Harris Checks the Bloodhound SSC and It’s Amazing

Back in 1997, the Thrust SSC managed to reach a top speed of 763 mph (1,228 km/h), breaking the world speed record as well as the sound barrier. But as we’re moving deeper into the hybridization age, a new contender aimed to break that is arising. That is the Bloodhound SSC, which recently got reviewed by Chris Harris.
Chris Harris checks the Bloodhound SSC 1 photo
Photo: screenshot from Youtube
Although the Bloodhound SSC is still a work in progress, Chris got invited to check it out and learn more about its unique features. The video bellow will talk you through a lot of interesting facts about the first land vehicle that should reach 1,000 mph (1,609 km/h) and then break with a face-ripping force down to a stop.

Andy Green is the hero who’s going to drive the $30 million (€21 million) hybrid land speed record car on a dry lake bed in South Africa next year. He currently uses his stunt plane to get a hold of the G-forces he’s going to feel during the attempt and has also offered to give Harris a ride to make an idea himself.

Hybrid land speed vehicle?

Of course! We live in the era of hybrid cars, so why wouldn’t we use combined powers to thrust the Bloodhound SSC towards its success? However, there won’t by any batteries and huge electric motors at play. Those would make the land rocket even heavier.

In final form, the thing looking like a huge F1 car will weight about 17,600 lbs (8,000 kg). It’s basically a locomotive with multiple motors attached to it and an aerodynamic fuselage covering the whole thing.

Speaking about motors, it’s going to have three sources of power. There’s a jet engine coming from a Typhoon Eurofighter plane that will accelerate the Bloodhound SSC to about one third of it’s envisioned top speed. Then there’s a modified Jaguar V8 engine used to startup some pumps that basically feed the ultimate engine.

That one is of course the hybrid rocket engine. And you thought it’s a hybrid only for having a jet and an internal combustion engine. No, the main hybrid thing is the new type of rocket supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) since 2010.

This rocket uses a propellant made by combining hydrogen peroxide (the oxidizer) and synthetic rubber (as actual fuel). This is said to be a low-cost and green alternative for propulsion and it’s always safer than classic solid-fuel rockets because the burning reaction can be shut off anytime.

Of course, there are a lot more interesting things about the Bloodhound SSC, so go grab some popcorn and make yourselves comfortable because the video lasts over 40 minutes.

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