Hyperloop Reaches Bullet Train Speeds, Makes Richard Branson Chairman
It's been an exciting week for the Hyperloop. One of the companies developing the new form of transportation, based on capsules running in a vacuum at almost the speed of sound, has made two announcements, and beat a record.
On Wednesday, Virgin Hyperloop One announced that it successfully conducted a third test of its pod, reaching a new top speed of 240 mph, a 48 mph increase over its previous record of 192mph.
And yes, you read that right, it's now the Virgin Hyperloop One. In October the company rebranded itself with the Virgin tag and this Monday it was made official — Richard Branson, billionaire CEO of the Virgin Group, was appointed Chairman of Virgin Hyperloop One. Branson replaced Shervin Pishevar, who went on a leave of absence after being accused of sexual harassment (a charge Pishevar denies.) Although Branson's position is "non-executive," said the company, he helped Hyperloop One secure an additional $50 million in investments.
Branson's experience in transportation includes starting or helping launch three successful airlines (Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Australia and Virgin America); Virgin Rail group, which operates trains in the UK; and Virgin Galactic, which plans on bringing travelers to outer space — so helping guide a hyperloop company seems like a natural fit for him.
The speed test is a significant step because the pod is starting to reach speeds faster than many bullet trains around the world like the TGV in France or the Shinkansen in Japan, which operate with a maximum speed of 200mph in commercial service, although they have been much faster in trials.
The company shared a video showing the pod whizzing by in a test tunnel.
And those tunnels are the reason for the new speed record. In a press release the company said that it "tested a new airlock which helps transition test pods between atmospheric and vacuum conditions." Without air resistance, the pods can reach extremely high speeds.
"The tests were conducted in a tube depressurized down to the equivalent air pressure experienced at 200,000 feet above sea level," added the company.
Virgin beat out Elon Musk's own pod, which reached speeds 220mph in August. Musk created the idea of the Hyperloop when he released a white paper in 2013 on the subject, proposing that the Hyperloop could reach speeds of 700 mph and opening the concept up to others for developing.
Virgin Hyperloop One said it would need its test track, which is currently .31 miles long, to be extended at least another 1.2 miles to reach those near speed-of-sound velocities.
H/T: The Verge
Featured image courtesy of Virgin Hyperloop One.
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app