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Introduction

That’s 760 miles (1,223 km) per hour, which is 110 mph (177 kph) faster than a commercial aircraft travels. “The Hyperloop [or something similar] is, in my opinion, the right solution for the specific case of high traffic city pairs that are less than about 1,500 km, or 900 miles, apart,” Musk wrote when he announced the idea. In order to achieve such ear-popping speeds, Musk needs to create an envi- ronment inside theHyperloop that cuts down on air density and drag . To that end, Musk and his scientists propose elevating two tubes (one going north, the other south) alongside Interstate 5. Special electronics and machines will

Thinking It Through

When it comes to a project such as the Hyperloop, figuring what works also means figuring out what doesn’t work. Musk looked at sev- eral ways to move his pods through the tubes. He thought about using powerful fans to push the capsules. While it was possible to build such fans, having a 350-mile- long column of air moving at such speed would create an enormous amount of friction inside the tube, slowing the pod considerably. Musk also ruled out using vacuum tubes because it is hard to create a perfect vacuum in tubes that might crack or leak.

reduce the air pressure in the tubes to one-sixth of that on Mars. Theoretically, that will help a Hyperloop pod speed along amazingly fast as it meets less air resistance.The pod will be on a cushion of air pumped through small holes in its metal skis, like a puck in an air hockey game. An electric compressor on the front of the pod will help move the capsule along by pushing air to the back. Engineers will also place special motors, like those on some roller coasters, at key places along the Hyperloop to keep the capsule moving forward.