Designed to go 4 times the speed of sound
Bloodhound aims for supersonic record
THE PLAN is to break the speed of sound, a feat to be undertaken next September by a British Air Force pilot in the desert of the Northern Cape.
The car, a Bloodhound SSC, is 13m long and 4m high, has supersonic speed and is designed to go as fast as 1 600km/h. “We have already done 1 200km/h and are working towards new heights,” said Christopher Maxwell of the Bloodhound educational programme.
He said the car was part of an educational economic programme of the British High Commission and was meant to inspire young people to choose a career in science.
“We have schools from across the country who are part of the programme; we are encouraging children to take up science and engineering as a career,” Maxwell said.
The car was on exhibition at the Science Forum South Africa held yesterday and on Tuesday at the CSIR Conference Centre in Pretoria.
Experts from Wits University were there to talk about the evolution of humankind.
The Nelson Mandela University showcased its use of micro algae mixed with discarded coal to produce energy. The output, co-algae, will be used to produce energy products such as crude oil, synthetic gas and clean coal.
The sci-fest stall showed off the use of natural products to create energy and also demonstrated wavelength, sound and music.
The Embassy of Finland, the South African Mathematic Foundation, SKA and the Science Forum, among others, had exhibition stalls.
So did the Swedish Embassy, which showcased innovations to Bluetooth, the pacemaker, Skype and digital microbiology technology as well as ulcer medicine.
The exhibitions were the perfect distraction from the serious scientific discussions and sessions under way during the two-day event and had participants walking around and refreshing their minds throughout.