The Bloodhound SSC (Super Sonic Car) is aiming to break the land speed world record and not only that, it wants to break the 1000 mph barrier, 33% more than the current world record. The British built car is a massive engineering and scientific challenge and looks to break the record by using an EJ200 jet engine, two rockets and a Cosworth CA2010 Formula 1 V8 petrol engine auxiliary power unit with a sum total of 135,000 hp. Now the car has taken one step closer to completion as the cockpit has finished manufacturing.
[Image Source: Bloodhound SSC]
Pilot Andy Green calls it his "1000 mph office" in the video tour of the insides below. Its been completely custom designed to Green's body contours using 3-D scanning and printing. The steering wheel has been printed from powdered titanium to the shape of his hands meaning no waste during production and it houses buttons for the parachute brakes, air brakes and the rocket trigger switches. There is a right pedal for the jet engine throttle and a left pedal for the wheel breaks. Dials give information on performance and crucial data to let him know when to begin rocket use and when to deploy the parachutes among other crucial decisions.
Pilot Andy Green in the tailor made cockpit [Image Source: Bloodhound SSC]
The design is pushing boundaries in so many levels and is at the peak of engineering right now. Expect loads more exciting news running up to the attempt in South Africa in 2016.
Check out Bloodhound SSC's website for more info.