AR ZONE
COOLING WITH SPACE TECHNOLOGY
Controlling the temperature of vehicles and drivers is essential in any off-road endurance event. However, during the Dakar Rally, which famously traverses sweltering desert lands, cooling technology has an increased priority.
In the past, technology used by the European Space Agency (ESA) has been incorporated into the Dakar Rally. One piece of technology used in vehicles is a thermal screen, which was also used in one of the ESA’s space launch vehicles. The screen wraps around the exhaust pipe and can cool it by 700 degrees Celsius. In addition to the car’s temperature, rally drivers have been known to use self-cooling drink containers and airconditioned helmets.