Construction of 1,000 MPH "Rocket Car" Finally Underway

After months of hype and expectation, engineers are finally getting to work on turning the concept of a supersonic vehicle into reality. A hybrid jet/rocket-propelled vehicle, called the Bloodhound SSC, made its splashy debut last summer at an aircraft trade show in England. But the designers, who said the machine would reach a speed of 1,050 mph, only had a mock-up and a fancy video to show to people stopping in at their booth.

Now they're finally getting a chance to roll up their sleeves. Parts orders are being sent out this week and the organizers are planning initial runway tests for next January in South Africa.

"It's a fantastic feeling to be handing over the drawings to the people who will now build the car," chief engineer Mark Chapman told the BBC. "It's a 'progressive definition release' which means as soon as we finish a design, it goes out the door."

When finished, the car will include both a Eurofighter Typhoon jet engine and a rocket engine (the largest hybrid rocket designed in Europe), generating a combined thrust of 47,500 lb. Looked at another way, that's roughly the equivalent of 180 Formula One racing cars. The chassis will be built by Hampson Industries