Bloodhound SSC Tests Its Rocket Engine

As you may already know, the Bloodhound SSC project aims to create the fastest car ever built – with a goal of reaching a mind-blowing 1,000mph. We’ve previously seen how the car’s aerodynamics, brakes and cockpit will work, and now we get our first look at one of the rocket engines that will be used to propel the vehicle to record speeds.

“BLOODHOUND’s rocket partner, Nammo, successfully fired the new hybrid rocket. This firing lasted for a predefined 16 seconds, producing a maximum thrust of 30 kN (or 3 tonnes). The temperature in the rocket reached 2,200°C and 1,200°C in the plume.The rocket started instantly after ignition and the firing was terminated in a controlled manner by closing the main oxidiser valve. “

Basically, that means the rocket test was a success. Ultimately, the vehicle will be powered by a cluster of three rocket engines to achieve its record-setting speed, but the team plans on launching a high-speed ground test in 2015 using a single rocket.