Elon Musk’s Hyperloop : A Technically Possible Sci-Fi Dream
By Vino M, November 26, 2013
The Hyperloop is a closed tube system of transportation designed by Elon Musk. The closed tubes contain pods that travel through the system at up to 800mph.
The Hyperloop features tubes with a low level of pressurization that would contain pods with skis made of the SpaceX alloy inconel, which is designed to withstand high pressure and heat. Air exiting those skis through tiny holes would create an air cushion on which the pods would ride, and they’d be propelled by air jet inlets. And all of that would cost only around $6 billion, according to Musk.
Elon intended for the full specifications to be open source and available to all. The goal of this project is to fulfill that vision so all Hyperloop systems can be compatible, similar to how all rail roads are the same width, same type of rails, etc. and a rail road car made for one rail system can also run on another rail system.
This is the guy who built Tesla Motors and SpaceX, but he actually says he regrets bringing Hyperloop up to begin with and says it’s up to someone else to build it.
Hyperloop alpha : http://www.spacex.com/sites/spacex/files/hyperloop_alpha.pdf