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They managed 491 mph this morning, but again some minor damage: https://twitter.com/Bloodhound_LSR/status/1191628738359939072 https://twitter.com/Bloodhound_LSR

They managed 491 mph this morning, but again some minor damage: https://twitter.com/Bloodhound_LSR/status/1191628738359939072 https://twitter.com/Bloodhound_LSR/status/119162873835993907... This year's campaign is not trying to set any records, but just prove out much of the technology using just the jet engine. Next year, all being well, they'll add the rocket and aim towards 1000 mph. For those interested in the technology, there's an interesting writeup by Ron Ayers (Bloodhound aerodynamicist) and Andy Green on the stability of transonic and supersonic cars here: https://www.bloodhoundlsr.com/the-stability-of-transonic-and-supersonic-cars/ https://www.bloodhoundlsr.com/the-stability-of-transonic-and... Wishing them luck: my sons' names are on the fin!

Already__Taken 7y ago
I was having trouble finding the source but don't they only have 2 jet engines at the end of their flight hours. Plus they have to swap to the other engine for the record attempts after testing? Aren't they on the clock running time wise to do this before giving the engines back, they don't own them.
- mhandley 7y ago
  The jet engines are versions of the EJ200 that were used in the original development of the Eurofighter. If I understand correctly, they're still owned by the Ministry of Defense, but they're no longer suitable for combat use. They were loaned on condition that Bloodhound runs a initiative to foster interest in science and technology in schools, and the original Bloodhound programme was very effective in that sense. I don't know what the current deal is since bankrupcy and the buyout last year, but I'm pretty sure Ian Wakehurst wouldn't have invested if the MoD hadn't agreed to the continued use of the engines. One of the complications of using the EJ200 is that the engine's own control systems assume the engine is in a Eurofighter. So the car control systems need to pretend to be a Eurofighter, as they can't modify the engine's control systems.
jacquesm 7y ago
Here's to hoping they will succeed and if they fail that they will not fail catastrophically. This is a very tough challenge.
dmurray 7y ago
Why is it a big deal to achieve 491mph when others have achieved 750mph+? Is the technology substantially different, or is there some other reason that being viable at this speed means they have a good chance of breaking the record or hitting 1000mph? Not trying to be rude, just trying to understand whether the article is reporting anything noteworthy at all (other than that the Bloodhound project exists).
- mhandley 7y ago
  This is essentially the same team than achieved 763 mph in 1997 with Thrust SSC. Andy Green drove then, and is the driver of Bloodhound now. Ron Ayers was the aerodynamicist for both cars. Richard Noble who set the land speed record in Thrust 2 and was project director for Thrust SSC was also project director for Bloodhound. There's no more experienced team. Back in 1997, Thrust SSC had enough power to achieve greater speeds than 763 mph, but proved to be nearly uncontrollable. They learned from those lessons, and Bloodhound not only has more power (or will do when they add the rocket engine), but also benefits from years of CFD research. But funding was difficult, and it's taken well over a decade to get this far. Last year the project went bankrupt, only to be rescued at the last minute by Ian Warhurst. The news is that after so long, and so much development effort, the car is finally on the salt flats and progressively increasing speeds as step by step they validate all the new technologies and also validate the actual behaviour matches the models. The fact that after such a difficult path, they've got this far is noteworthy, and bodes well for a full attempt on the record next year.
- notjustanymike 7y ago
  It's like SpaceX having a successful starhopper launch.
  - corey_moncure 7y ago
    What are the practical applications of a car that drives 450 mph in a dried up lake bed? The practical applications of SpaceX are obvious.
    - 7y ago
eggfriedrice 7y ago
Awesome! It's great to see that the project was saved from bankruptcy. I was really gutted at the thought it would get shelved, especially as it was so far along. They've done a whole lot of educational work with the project to get kids (and adults) excited about engineering, which can only be a good thing.

Already__Taken 7y ago

I was having trouble finding the source but don't they only have 2 jet engines at the end of their flight hours. Plus they have to swap to the other engine for the record attempts after testing? Aren't they on the clock running time wise to do this before giving the engines back, they don't own them.

mhandley 7y ago
The jet engines are versions of the EJ200 that were used in the original development of the Eurofighter. If I understand correctly, they're still owned by the Ministry of Defense, but they're no longer suitable for combat use. They were loaned on condition that Bloodhound runs a initiative to foster interest in science and technology in schools, and the original Bloodhound programme was very effective in that sense. I don't know what the current deal is since bankrupcy and the buyout last year, but I'm pretty sure Ian Wakehurst wouldn't have invested if the MoD hadn't agreed to the continued use of the engines. One of the complications of using the EJ200 is that the engine's own control systems assume the engine is in a Eurofighter. So the car control systems need to pretend to be a Eurofighter, as they can't modify the engine's control systems.

jacquesm 7y ago

Here's to hoping they will succeed and if they fail that they will not fail catastrophically. This is a very tough challenge.

dmurray 7y ago

Why is it a big deal to achieve 491mph when others have achieved 750mph+? Is the technology substantially different, or is there some other reason that being viable at this speed means they have a good chance of breaking the record or hitting 1000mph? Not trying to be rude, just trying to understand whether the article is reporting anything noteworthy at all (other than that the Bloodhound project exists).

mhandley 7y ago
This is essentially the same team than achieved 763 mph in 1997 with Thrust SSC. Andy Green drove then, and is the driver of Bloodhound now. Ron Ayers was the aerodynamicist for both cars. Richard Noble who set the land speed record in Thrust 2 and was project director for Thrust SSC was also project director for Bloodhound. There's no more experienced team. Back in 1997, Thrust SSC had enough power to achieve greater speeds than 763 mph, but proved to be nearly uncontrollable. They learned from those lessons, and Bloodhound not only has more power (or will do when they add the rocket engine), but also benefits from years of CFD research. But funding was difficult, and it's taken well over a decade to get this far. Last year the project went bankrupt, only to be rescued at the last minute by Ian Warhurst. The news is that after so long, and so much development effort, the car is finally on the salt flats and progressively increasing speeds as step by step they validate all the new technologies and also validate the actual behaviour matches the models. The fact that after such a difficult path, they've got this far is noteworthy, and bodes well for a full attempt on the record next year.
notjustanymike 7y ago
It's like SpaceX having a successful starhopper launch.
- corey_moncure 7y ago
  What are the practical applications of a car that drives 450 mph in a dried up lake bed? The practical applications of SpaceX are obvious.
  - 7y ago

eggfriedrice 7y ago

Awesome! It's great to see that the project was saved from bankruptcy. I was really gutted at the thought it would get shelved, especially as it was so far along. They've done a whole lot of educational work with the project to get kids (and adults) excited about engineering, which can only be a good thing.