The Bloodhound SSC could reach 1,000mph.

The British engineering team that broke the land speed record 11 years ago with the Thrust SSC is aiming to go even faster with the Bloodhound, a jet-propelled supersonic car.

The Bloodhound project was announced today (Thursday 23 October) at the Science Museum in London by Minister of State for Science and Innovation, Lord Drayson.

Engineer Richard Noble OBE will lead the three-year project and RAF Wing Commander Andy Green will drive the vehicle when they attempt to set a new World Record in 2011 by travelling at 1,000mph. 

If achieved, it will mark the greatest incremental increase in the history of the World Land Speed Record and the team is hoping that it will inspire a generation of children to study science.

Green said: “I’ve met graduate engineers who are adamant that our previous record was what inspired their career choice as youngsters: that sort of thing makes all the effort worthwhile. Bloodhound SSC will be so much faster and, we hope, will fire up every school kid about science and technology.”

Noble led the Thrust supersonic car team back in 1997 when the jet-powered vehicle made history by travelling at 763mph. Green was the driver who took the car through the sound barrier.

The Bloodhound project team has been working on the concept for the past 18 months and has designed the vehicle to be powered by a rocket attached to a Eurofighter-Typhoon jet engine.

The 12.8m long, 6.4 tonne Bloodhound car will be more advanced than most spacecraft and will be faster than a speeding bullet.

For further information about the Bloodhound project, visit: www.bloodhoundssc.com