The AUSSIE INVADER 5R project is ground-breaking in many ways, using a mixture of new technology, materials and design techniques with tried and tested methods.
This development path has also made all of us aware of the impact of things we do and its effect on our planet and the environment. With that in mind we have tried to make our rocket engine as as environmentally friendly as possible, with the use of bio kerosene as our fuel.
Like all engines Aussie Invader’s Liquid Oxygen / Bio Kerosene (LOX) motor will produce Carbon Dioxide (CO2), but this is kept to a minimum with the car running for only very short elapsed times of about 25 seconds on a full run and with a limited amount of runs per year.
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Anticipated Schedule for Aussie Invader 5R
Based on past experience with other World Land Speed Record attempts the car would be expected to make just 10-20 runs, each calendar year, starting in late 2013/early 2014. It is envisaged that the timescale from initial testing runs, right up to a 1,000mph run (1,609 km/h) could take 2-3 years and will be dependent on the success of the cars performance and any issues that may require modifications.
The main point of this gradual build up is to test the car as safely as possible, maximising driver safety, which of course is paramount in all we do.
These runs will be broken down into 3 types:
Year 1 – 20 x Test Runs (0 – 700 mph)
Bio Kerosene Fuel – Average 150 kg per run
Year 2 – 15 x Land Speed Record Runs (700 – 900 mph)
Bio Kerosene Fuel – Average 225 kg per run
Year 3 – 10 x High Speed Record Runs (working up to 1000 mph)
Bio Kerosene Fuel – Average 350 kg per run
Chart showing CO2 emission figures
CO2 Comparisons
Car Emissions
An average Australian family car produces 212g of CO2 per km (1), and the average yearly CO2 output from Aussie Invader would equate to you driving 58,825 km or 36,552 miles.
Human Emissions
The average human expels about 900g of CO2 per day (2) or 328.5 kg of CO2 per year. So Aussie Invader 5R’s average yearly emissions are equivalent to 38 people breathing for a year.
Aircraft Emissions
A Boeing 747-400 passenger jet produces 30.6 kg of CO2 per km (3), which means the average yearly output of Aussie Invader 5R is equivalent to it flying 407 km or 253 miles.
Additional Considerations
The above assessments do not take into account the CO2 produced to transport Aussie Invader 5R, the project team and equipment to a suitable location to run the car, or the environmental effects of the media and spectators who attend. However with over 1 billion people flying worldwide each year for business, holidays and sporting events, I think you will agree that Aussie Invader 5R will have a very small impact on the worlds overall CO2 emissions, however we will endeavour to keep our carbon footprint too a minimum.
Reference Sources
1 Carsales.com.au – Lowest ever CO2 emissions
2 Wikipedia – Carbon Dioxide
3 Online Article - How much CO2 is released by Aeroplane?
