Bloodhound Supersonic Car (photo: the Bloodhound Project)

The Bloodhound SSC is named after the Bristol Bloodhound, a surface-to-air missile developed by Britain's Royal Air Force in the 1950s. The team of engineers and scientists working on the supersonic car did a dry build of the vehicle in 2015 and hope to have the project completed by the end of this year. Their goal is to have the vehicle ready to reach 1,000 mph by the beginning of 2017.

Andy Green, Richard Noble and the Bloodhound Team (photo: The Bloodhound Project)

In addition to the goal of setting a world record, the team behind this feat of engineering aim to inspire youth to cultivate an interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers. The offer educational programs for students of all ages to experiment with the sciences with exciting and hands on experiences. “The BLOODHOUND engineering adventure provides us with a once in a lifetime opportunity to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers,” says Richard Noble of the project.

Close Up of the Bloodhound SSC (photo: Rolex)

Rolex is the official timing partner of the The Bloodhound Project. “I’m enormously proud that I’ll be wearing a Rolex on my wrist when we go for the record. It will take 3.6 seconds to cover the Measured Mile, and then the team will race like hell to get the car turned around for a return run within the hour with the world watching. It will be a split second business and terrifically exciting but the real prize is the creation of a lasting legacy that inspires young people to take up careers in science and engineering. It’s going to be a very special moment in time and I’m delighted to welcome Rolex, the leader in time, to the team," says Andy Green of the partnership. 

Bloodhound SSC (photo: The Bloodhound Project)