Bloodhound LSR Thread As Requested...
Discussion
CraigyMc said:
Olivergt said:
What does/did the jet use to supply fuel to the engine? Surely the requirements are the same, why not use the same?
Have just seen this post.The EJ200 has an AMAD (basically a jet-engine powered alternator) but it's sized for the fighter the engine came from; the rocket motor pump power requirement is quite a bit bigger; I recall this being discussed years ago; it's in the hundreds of kW (~400 to 500).
This is historical info but:
- The oxidiser pump needs to dump 800 litres of HTP into the rocket in a total of about 17s.
- HTP's a bit denser than water, that 800 litres equates to about 1000kg.
If you're looking to visualise the output of the pump, it's roughly equivalent to 15 UK-spec firefighting hoses running in parallel, in terms of flow rate.
If you were to dump the HTP out through a tube (unburnt) rather than as the oxidiser for a PBAN rocket, it'd still give you about 400lb of thrust. This is simply because of the reaction mass of the HTP going out the back of the car.
That's why the jet can't power the pump. Too squirty.
Edited by CraigyMc on Monday 20th November 20:14
Bloodhound was on the end of Gogglebox last week, peoples reactions just about summed up the world's view on this project now, and their attitude towards pushing boundarys.
Largely "why bother", "what's the point" & "aren't there better things to spend £12m on".
Largely "why bother", "what's the point" & "aren't there better things to spend £12m on".
Edited by CallMeLegend on Wednesday 22 November 11:31
CallMeLegend said:
Bloodhounds was on the end of Gogglebox last week, peoples reactions just about summed up the world's view on this project now.
Ah yes, those fine examples of human ingenuity and ceaseless endeavour... sitting on their arses in front of the TV passing judgement on people actually out doing something. You're probably right that it's reflective of most people's view... but that just shows what a sad, stupid world we're living in.
MDifficult said:
CallMeLegend said:
Bloodhounds was on the end of Gogglebox last week, peoples reactions just about summed up the world's view on this project now.
Ah yes, those fine examples of human ingenuity and ceaseless endeavour... sitting on their arses in front of the TV passing judgement on people actually out doing something. You're probably right that it's reflective of most people's view... but that just shows what a sad, stupid world we're living in.
MDifficult said:
Ah yes, those fine examples of human ingenuity and ceaseless endeavour... sitting on their arses in front of the TV passing judgement on people actually out doing something.
You're probably right that it's reflective of most people's view... but that just shows what a sad, stupid world we're living in.
Indeed, a sad reflection on society that the Gogglebox crap is still on TV, just downright tragic that people don't see a point to 'pushing the envelope' in terms of what is possible with regard to speed.You're probably right that it's reflective of most people's view... but that just shows what a sad, stupid world we're living in.
Possibly because the whole endeavour is so exotic and far-removed from their grey, monotonous day-to-day lives that it's impossible to comprehend, who knows.
CallMeLegend said:
MDifficult said:
CallMeLegend said:
Bloodhounds was on the end of Gogglebox last week, peoples reactions just about summed up the world's view on this project now.
Ah yes, those fine examples of human ingenuity and ceaseless endeavour... sitting on their arses in front of the TV passing judgement on people actually out doing something. You're probably right that it's reflective of most people's view... but that just shows what a sad, stupid world we're living in.
Space travel is becoming routine. We have flying cars (almost), self-driving cars (almost), humanoid robots (almost) & artificial intelligence (almost). We even have functioning jet packs
The future is (almost) here. Engineering challenges are routinely met (and are almost always seen as costing way too much).
Against that backdrop, an LSR car seems almost quaint. A tiny team of people using an ancient (relatively) jet engine strapped to an actual human driver, with no competitor. Even reaching 1000mph is unlikely to elicit much “wow” from many people. It is just assumed this is attainable nowadays with enough resources. The current campaign bears that out: “only” £12m and you’ll be an LSR holder.
Back in the day, going fast was an achievement. Sure it was still a few guys in sheds, but there was still a sense of wonder in the whole endeavour. We all know that there’s no actual purpose to going 1000mph on land; nothing will be learned that advances mankind in any meaningful way.
That’s not to denigrate the work that got us here, or the passion & commitment of the people. But this feels like a technological & societal dead end now.
All of that said, I’d like to see it finished. I hope somebody with money & talent steps in to claim the ultimate “experience” & finish this car’s mission. But, like Campbell in the end at Coniston, it will likely be one man’s money in a bid to achieve something personally with his own money.
964roar said:
Concorde. Best our pasty and distinctly average Country ever did in the modern age. Bloodhound is now just about chasing the past fast.
Concorde is a really good example of the highs and lows of British technology.The high? The Apollo team felt Concorde was a bigger achievement than theirs, because the rigours of having such a cutting-edge craft fly again after just a re-fuel & a quick clean were unimaginable to them. It was the only aircraft in history, civil or military, that could supercruise at Mach 2.0 for 3+ hours. Not even the much vaunted SR-71 could match it.
Prior to 2000, the three organizations in the world racking up the highest number of supersonic flight hours per year were, in descending order: 1) British Airways, 2) Air France, and 3) The United States Air Force.
The low? Britain is too small, and too reliant on others, to force through technological business change. The oil crisis of 73 killed a lot of Concorde orders, but not as many as the de facto US prohibition. Seeing a tech lead overseas, the US went into protectionist mode. The UK lacked the clout to break through. We worked to fix that, by becoming a key part of the world’s largest free trade zone (trying to replicate the benefits of the US’ captive home market), but of course - like Concorde - that’s history now.
In the US, I suspect Bloodhound would easily find its £12m. But we’re not there. We operate in a wholly different world, one in which Britons won’t spend to fly the flag; why should anyone else?
If you fancy reading the most inaccurate load of toss - https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/24968591/worlds-fa...
CallMeLegend said:
If you fancy reading the most inaccurate load of toss - https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/24968591/worlds-fa...
:PutsDownLatestPoliticalPartyManifesto:Challenge accepted!
CallMeLegend said:
If you fancy reading the most inaccurate load of toss - https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/24968591/worlds-fa...
Skimmed it.This could be "quality journalism" by a Sun subeditor or not, either way Ron's got someone to punch in the chops.
CraigyMc said:
CallMeLegend said:
If you fancy reading the most inaccurate load of toss - https://www.thesun.co.uk/motors/24968591/worlds-fa...
Skimmed it.This could be "quality journalism" by a Sun subeditor or not, either way Ron's got someone to punch in the chops.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff