Microlighters

My company (Cisco Systems) is one of the main sponsors of the next land speed world record attempt, named Bloodhound SSC (http://www.bloodhoundssc.com).

This world record attempt is happening RIGHT HERE in South Africa, in the Northern Cape, at the Hakskeenpan (26°47'27.52"S 20°13'28.05"E), late 2013 or 2014.

Bloodhound SSC is being built around cutting edge technology, including a Eurojet EJ200 jet engine, to accelerate the vehicle to 300mph, and a Falcon rocket, which boosts speeds to 1,000mph or more.

OK, so although not flying per se, it is literally "flying" at 1.4 Mach with three wheels on the ground!!

Get involved, join the club (http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/supporters_club.cfm), or even sign up to have your name placed on the tail fin of the Bloodhound SSC (http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/goodies/yo ... he_fin.cfm)! By doing this YOU TOO will become a sponsor!!

FOLLOW THE DEVELOPMENTS . . . . this will be REALLY EXCITING!

This video is worth a watch . . . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... ihBOXSEU3E

One of the REALLY great things about the project is that EVERYTHING is open to the public . . . . NO COPYRIGHT and NO PATENTS . . . . all design data, all "run-data", etc. is ALL published online the second it becomes available! Currently over 3000 people have downloaded the Bloodhound SSC design documents!! Go to the website and see what is currently available!

The aim is also to get schools involved, with the view to generating interest in science and engineering, so please be sure to share this project with little Johnny and little Mary!

John... now this would be amazing to watch! Why SA? I thought all these attempts were in Death Valley? Not complaining...just asking.

So When do we fly in to watch? It's not like finding a spot to land will be a problem surely?

I would offer to carry a camera man and televise the action....but somehow I dont think the Dark Blue Princess will keep up even if I cable tie the bar to the seat..

Very cool.

I have a DriftHD170 Stealth that could try?

Hi Alan,

The cool thing about this is that there wil be a huge PR campaign to have as many lookers-on as possible!

Why is the test being run in South Africa?
Firstly, are you sitting down? You sure?? Because our local government officials were so accommodating! FACT!! They even "uplifted" a road across the entire length of the pan!
Then, there was the fact that the test site in the USA was accommodating a pagan festival at the time that Bloodhound SSC wanted to run tests.
And finally, because Haksteen Pan has a surface level variance of 61mm over 13,9 miles, which is more than suitable for the speeds anticipated!!!!
Oh, let me not forget . . . . there was more than adequate casual labour and volunteers to remove stones and rocks from the pan surface!

It really is a HUGELY exciting project. I am sure in time to come I could arrange a talk by Richard Noble! He is certainly very entertaining.

And regarding a fly-in, I am sure it can be arranged! How cool would that be??

BTW: I have already got my name on the tail fin!!! See below!

Cheers,

John

Bloodhound Rocket Test - October 3rd

On October 3rd we will be streaming the Bloodhound rocket test LIVE on this page http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/rocket/

Please check back again as the countdown progresses . . .
The test will be done at the AeroHub at Newquay Airport in Cornwall, and is scheduled to take place at around 1:30pm (GMT+1hr).

As South Africa is GMT+2hrs the test firing will therefore be at 2.30pm South African time.

Bundy wrote:but somehow I dont think the Dark Blue Princess will keep up even if I cable tie the bar to the seat..

Very cool.

Solution will be to tie cable to Bloodhound... Imagine Trike doing 1.4 Mach. That will be a record.

I Hope they allowed for Andy Greens stainless steel cojones in the ballast calculations

Bundy wrote:John... now this would be amazing to watch! Why SA? I thought all these attempts were in Death Valley? Not complaining...just asking.

So When do we fly in to watch? It's not like finding a spot to land will be a problem surely?

I would offer to carry a camera man and televise the action....but somehow I dont think the Dark Blue Princess will keep up even if I cable tie the bar to the seat..

Very cool.