# Hyperloop One test scheduled for today. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 11, 2016, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554 "2016-05-11T16:10:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/1 "2016-05-11T16:10:42Z")
> **[The first Hyperloop test happens today in Las Vegas](https://bgr.com/tech/hyperloop-one-test-las-vegas/)** > > Elon Musk’s Hyperloop high-speed transportation project is getting closer to becoming a commercial product, but don’t get too excited just yet about traveling from Los … > [@](#): > > Elon Musk’s Hyperloop high-speed transportation project is getting closer to becoming a commercial product, but don’t get too excited just yet about traveling from Los Angeles to San Francisco in about half an hour. However, Hyperloop Technologies, a company that’s looking to create Musk’s vision, has scheduled a major Hyperloop test for this week. > … > The CEO also revealed that the name of the company will be changed from Hyperloop Technologies to Hyperloop One. The change is meant to identify the company better and avoid confusion with a Hyperloop Transportation Technologies startup that’s also working on similar tech. I had no idea that this had gotten as far as building a test track. Here’s their website: [https://hyperloop-one.com/](https://hyperloop-one.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/2 "2016-05-11T16:46:55Z")
My nephew just got a job there as an engineer. We’re all following the company very closely, but I have my doubts about any major line being set up in the US any time soon. Maybe somewhere in Europe first. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/3 "2016-05-11T17:12:15Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > I had no idea that this had gotten as far as building a test track. Same here. I thought it was more of a thought exercise than anything concrete, let alone moving to proof of concept already. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/4 "2016-05-11T19:18:10Z")
They just completed the test successfully: https://www.youtube.com/embed/0sbS6I5xm9Y?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PLXDJPUdeH2Bcg0d_8x-LgKH7ol2Amw0CD ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/5 "2016-05-11T20:48:05Z")
Interesting. It was a propulsion test without the tube. I was somehow under the impression that it moved by being sucked through the tube by a vacuum, but I guess that 's not the case. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/6 "2016-05-11T20:53:39Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Interesting. It was a propulsion test without the tube. I was somehow under the impression that it moved by being sucked through the tube by a vacuum, but I guess that 's not the case. The tube will be under vacuum to eliminate as much air resistance as possible. Inside, it’s just a maglev train. What’s the scale on this test platform? It looks small. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/7 "2016-05-11T20:58:05Z")
Regarding the vacuum; one leak in the car and it could arrive with a bunch of asphyxiated passengers and crew. I suppose it would have drop down oxygen masks like airliners do. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/8 "2016-05-11T21:02:01Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > They just completed the test successfully: > [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sbS6I5xm9Y&list=PLXDJPUdeH2Bcg0d\_8x-LgKH7ol2Amw0CD](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0sbS6I5xm9Y&list=PLXDJPUdeH2Bcg0d_8x-LgKH7ol2Amw0CD) Comment section: > [@](#): > > Lekker Banjeren1 hour ago > Dude it’s 2016 you’re watching the most technologically advanced mode of ground transportation yet. And the video is 240p? You serious bro? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/9 "2016-05-11T21:03:04Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Regarding the vacuum; one leak in the car and it could arrive with a bunch of asphyxiated passengers and crew. I suppose it would have drop down oxygen masks like airliners do. Oxygen won’t help much in a vacuum. Unless there’s also drop-down pressure suits. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/10 "2016-05-11T21:06:35Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Oxygen won’t help much in a vacuum. Unless there’s also drop-down pressure suits. But would it be a _total_ vacuum, or even near one? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/11 "2016-05-11T21:12:06Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > But would it be a _total_ vacuum, or even near one? If it’s not a total/near vacuum, doesn’t that defeat the whole idea? Without a vacuum, the speeds needed/desired won’t be possible. The Wiki article doesn’t say how much of a vacuum is planned. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/12 "2016-05-11T21:15:33Z")
ISTR that the idea is to maintain a sort of pocket of very low pressure in front of and behind the train, but not maintain vacuum along the whole tube. No, I don’t know how that was supposed to work. If the passenger compartment started to lose pressure, I would sure hope an alarm would go off and they could correct the problem. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/13 "2016-05-12T00:57:00Z")
It’s hard to see how you could maintain a pocket of vacuum just around the train. Even if you could, that pocket would have to continuously displace the air in front of it somehow, which seems like it would defeat the whole purpose of avoiding air resistance. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/14 "2016-05-12T01:06:08Z")
It seems that all this demonstrates is that they were able to build a maglev platform - something that we already know exists and works just fine. So, in that respect, this isn’t very impressive. But, I suppose, it does demonstrate that they are able to build _something_ and it works, so that is probably better than a large number of startups. > [@davidm](#): > > It’s hard to see how you could maintain a pocket of vacuum just around the train. Even if you could, that pocket would have to continuously displace the air in front of it somehow, which seems like it would defeat the whole purpose of avoiding air resistance. You would probably have two layers to your pipe. The inner layer contains the train. The outer layer is segmented, and you’re able to very quickly pump the air from the inner chamber into an outer segment, storing it until the train passed, then releasing it back into the main chamber. You would have to be able to do this very quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/15 "2016-05-12T01:39:13Z")
There’s no bubble of vacuum around the train; it’s all the same pressure. The tube is a decent vacuum, but not a perfect one. At least in the original design, the train glides on air bearings. And the train requires a giant fan to move air from the front to the back. The fan doesn’t require tremendous power (in the way that an aircraft turbofan does), but it is necessary or else a high-pressure zone will build up in front of the train and cause drag. Not requiring a perfect vacuum simplifies the design tremendously. There’s no need for low-outgassing materials or turbomolecular pumps or anything expensive like that. It’s about the same level of vacuum as a cheap air conditioner repair pump. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2016, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/16 "2016-05-12T01:49:26Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > It’s about the same level of vacuum as a cheap air conditioner repair pump. There are no cheap air conditioner repairs. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 21, 2023, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hyperloop-one-test-scheduled-for-today/754554/17 "2023-12-21T20:49:31Z")
While undoubtedly this is going to come as a complete shock to everyone: > **[Hyperloop One to Shut Down After Failing to Reinvent Transit](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=38725442)** > > 43 points — > 77 comments — > jmsflknr — > 7:24 PM - 21 Dec 2023 There is a unpaywalled link to the Bloomberg article in the Hacker News comments. > **[Hyperloop](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperloop)** > > Hyperloop is a proposed high-speed transportation system for both public and goods transport. The idea was first published by Elon Musk in a white paper released in 2013, where the Hyperloop was described as a transportation project involving capsules supported by air-bearings in low-pressure environment inside a tube. Hyperloop systems have three essential elements: tubes, pods, and terminals. The tube is a large, sealed low-pressure system (usually a long tunnel). The pod is a coach pressuri But there are still other companies pursuing research and development: > **[Elon Musk's 700 mph hyperloop tech hasn't become reality. But companies...](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/12/elon-musks-hyperloop-tech-continues-to-be-built-as-initial-hype-fades.html)** > > Tesla founder Elon Musk came up with the hyperloop concept in 2013. > **[Hyperloop history in the making: Europe’s first full-scale test track in...](https://innovationorigins.com/en/hyperloop-history-in-the-making-europes-first-full-scale-test-track-in-operation/)** > > The primary focus of the test operations will be the drive system, levitation technology and vacuum behaviour. > **[China plans to bring Elon Musk’s Hyperloop dream to reality by 2035](https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/china-elon-musk-hyperloop-shanghai-b2326326.html)** > > Building hyperloop train line ‘is of strategic significance’ to China, scientists say > **[Valencia's Zeleros is determined to bring hyperloop travel to reality by 2030](https://tech.eu/2023/11/10/valencia-startup-zeleros/)** > > A visit to Zeleros hyperloop reveals the potential for high-speed, energy-efficient travel but also challenges faced in commercialisation.