This hub brings together a collection of free learning resources related to Thrust Water Speed Hydroplane (ThrustWSH) that will introduce some of the advanced technologies and take your learning deeper into the underlying mathematics and engineering used in the project.
ThrustWSH aims to break the world water speed record with a design speed of more than 450 mph and builds on the team’s experience from the ThrustSSC and Bloodhound land speed record projects. The current world water speed record is 317.596 mph/511.121 km/h, held by Ken Warby in the Spirit of Australia on 8 October 1978.
The images above show the ThrustSSC and Bloodhound land speed record vehicles.
The ThrustWSH boat will be 12.2 metres long, weighing 7 tonnes and manufactured to be strong and light using carbon fibre composite materials. It is powered by a Rolls-Royce Spey 205 jet engine, which is a development of the Spey 202 engine, and the project will research how to use sustainable waste-based fuel. The boat uses novel technologies, including super-cavitating hydrofoils (described in our online boat interactive linked below) and active stability and control systems. Safety is at the heart of the project, with risk and hazard management embedded throughout the project and a reinforced safety cell for the pilot.
The image above is of the ThrustWSH boat concept.
Engineering and mathematics are essential to the success of the ThrustWSH project - from the design of the boat hull and the systems that control it, to project management and the manufacturing and testing of the boat. Whether you are studying science and maths at school, or an adult inspired by STEM careers, or just excited to find out more about the technologies used in the project, you will find resources on this hub to help you.
If you’re not sure where to start why not try our online boat interactive that will help you to identify some of the key technologies on the boat or watch a short video [TO BE ADDED] to meet the ThrustWSH team and find out what excites them about mathematics and engineering. There are also some careers related resources to help you think about careers in engineering and STEM.
If you want to study in greater depth, take a look at the free online courses in a variety of mathematics and engineering topics that available on the hub. All the courses let you know the number of study hours and are tagged with their level to help you to decide whether they are right for you.
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