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According to early reports the Hyperloop's initial tests (open air tests) were a success at their test track in North Las Vegas. Image.
It didn't go far but it did work. A metal sled accelerated from zero to 116 mph in 1.1 seconds, or about 2.4 Gs of force. It traveled little more than 100 meters, then stopped, kicking up a cloud of sand in the process.
The Verge has a couple articles Here, before the test and test pictures here.
Pencilled in for Q4 2016, however, is what the company is describing as its "Kitty Hawk" moment - a reference to the Wright Brother's first flight - where it plans to run a full-scale test track. Expected to be more than two miles of low-pressure tube, the pod inside should run at over 700 mph if all goes as planned.
Even if the system scales as Hyperloop One expects it to, human passengers may not be welcome, at least initially. The company is looking to cargo transportation as the most likely use for a commercial Hyperloop system - presumably because boxes and crates are less fragile than families - with interest already from a number of countries in a potential logistics system that would run through tubes and underground tunnels.
(Score: 2) by dyingtolive on Thursday May 12 2016, @08:40AM
Pointing it space-wards for use as a spaceship launcher sounds fascinating, in a sci-fi sort of way. I'm not a rocket surgeon, so I have no idea if it'd work. You did identify the ideal test group though.
Don't blame me, I voted for moose wang!
(Score: 2) by c0lo on Thursday May 12 2016, @11:50AM
See StarTram [wikipedia.org]. Would suit SpaceX quite nice to drive the space launches further down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0