The Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center was originally constructed to facilitate the reusable nature of NASA's space rockets. Although its primary purpose as a landing site for the Space Shuttle concluded in July 2011, the 3.0-mile section of the facility continues to be utilized for high-speed testing. Recently, a select group of Bugatti owners were granted a rare opportunity to unleash their extraordinary vehicles on this hallowed ground.
Taking advantage of this extraordinary setting, the popular automotive show TopGear set out to determine whether the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport could achieve a higher top speed than the Space Shuttle while traveling on the Earth's surface. A quick visit to NASA's official website reveals that the rocket still reaches an impressive speed of 110 meters per second upon touchdown of its main gear, which translates to approximately 246 miles per hour or nearly 396 kilometers per hour. When the drag chute is deployed, this velocity decreases to around 95 meters per second (212.5 mph / 342 kph). Surpassing such a formidable speed becomes the Chiron Super Sport's ultimate challenge.
To accomplish this feat, the hypercar harnesses the unparalleled power of its quad-turbo W16 engine, which it shares with the exclusive Centodieci model. Boasting an astonishing output of 1,580 horsepower (1,175 kilowatts), the Super Sport can catapult from a standstill to 124 mph (200 kph) in a mind-boggling 5.8 seconds. However, it is the top speed that holds the key to victory in this epic race. According to Bugatti's official figures, the Chiron Super Sport can achieve an astounding 273 mph (440 kph), which, on paper, should be more than enough to outpace the Space Shuttle's landing speed. Nonetheless, various real-world factors come into play, which may influence the actual outcome of this high-speed test.
During the event hosted by the Johnny Bohmer Proving Grounds at the Shuttle Landing Facility, several attempts were made to surpass the 249-mph (401-kph) mark. While we won't spoil the specific results of this intense race, it is abundantly clear that the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport effortlessly outperformed the landing speed of the Space Shuttle, as well as any other space rocket that has ever touched down on the facility.
Source: TopGear
