The ThrustSSC Team are on schedule to return to Jordan on Tuesday 20th May to continue high-speed testing of ThrustSSC.

Live Information

The very latest status of ThrustSSC can be seen through the Microplex Web Camera in the workshop in P8R Shed, DRA, Farnborough:

Please note:

• The Web Camera photo is updated every 15 minutes
• ThrustSSC will not be in the picture during tests or visits to exhibitions
• If the image is black, it's night-time and the workshop lights are off!

Please click here for more information on the Microplex Web Camera.

Please note: The Microplex Web Camera is currently offline and has been packed for transport to Jordan - the image shown is the last one taken on Saturday morning. The camera will be back online on Thursday 22nd May.

Individual Status Reports

Car

1. Design modifications to the rear suspension and steering to cure the high-speed shimmy are complete
2. Work to bring ThrustSSC up to supersonic standard is complete
3. Painting of the car in BASF Supersonic Black is complete

Team

1. The Team are in good shape and are looking forward to their return to Jordan on May 20th
2. The advance desert party of 5 Team members and 3 Mach 1 Club members are in Jordan preparing the houses and beginning desert preparations

Jafr Desert, Jordan

1. The Jafr Desert, Jordan, has dried well after the winter floods and is now usable. The surface is generally better than 1996, with less repair work required to the Bedouin crossing tracks. Hardness is currently 14 or better on the California Bearing Ratio scale.
2. The tracks require 'fodding' (clearing of major stones and debris). Much of the stone clearance is already done from the 1996 operations. Research has established that many of the smaller stones need not be picked up.

Black Rock Desert, Nevada, USA

Negotiations with the Bureau of Land Management are underway for the operating permit for this autumn's head-to-head with Craig Breedlove and the Spirit of America.

Equipment

Being prepared for Jordan.

Jeremy Duck

Looking pretty grimy after being run over by ThrustSSC during a wander round the workshop, Jeremy Duck is packed in a box with the satellite's Earth Station in the Pit Trailer.

Plans for the coming week

• Car
  1. Tuesday: Transit to Stansted. Fly to Jordan.
  2. Wednesday onwards: Transit to the Jafr Desert. Run preparations.
• Pit Station
  1. Monday: Load remaining equipment and transit to Stansted
  2. Tuesday: Fly to Jordan.
  3. Wednesday onwards: Transit to the Jafr Desert. Unload and set up equipment.
• Equipment
  1. Monday: Remaining equipment into Pit Station. Vehicles to Stansted.
  2. Tuesday: Fly to Jordan.
  3. Wednesday onwards: Transit to the Jafr Desert. Run preparations.
• Jafr Desert
  1. Wednesday onwards: Set up desert camp.
• Web Site
  1. Updates to resume Thursday.

Please check our Runs Database for the very latest information on the progress of ThrustSSC - the database is always updated as soon as possible after the car runs - and always before any report is written and published.

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