China’s Hyperloop Technology Advances with Successful Test Runs of Full-Sized Passenger Capsule

[beijingwalker]

China’s Hyperloop Technology Advances with Successful Test Runs of Full-Sized Passenger Capsule​

By Ouz
Jan 19, 2023

China’s hyperloop project, which aims to develop ultra-fast land transport technology, has successfully completed its first test runs using a full-sized passenger capsule. The test runs took place at a superconducting maglev test line in Datong, Shanxi province, and the capsule reached speeds of up to 50km/h, travelling a distance of 210 metres each time.

The project aims to eventually carry passengers and cargo at a speed of 1,000km/h or faster in a near-vacuum tube, which would make it the fastest ground-based transport technology in the world. The test runs were conducted by defence contractor China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), which built and operates the facility.

CASIC reported that critical components, including superconducting magnets, high-power electric systems, AI safety controls, wireless communication devices, and sensors all worked as planned during the tests, paving the way for future experiments at higher speeds. The idea of a “hyperloop” tube train was first proposed by SpaceX founder Elon Musk in 2012, and he established The Boring Company to bring the idea to life.

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson also joined the race with a similar venture, Hyperloop One, in Los Angeles. However, both projects have faced financial and technical challenges, with Hyperloop One reportedly laying off more than 100 employees and abandoning the idea of transporting humans, and The Boring Company dismantling its test tunnel last year. China was late to the hyperloop game, as CASIC did not break ground on the Datong facility until April of last year.

However, it took less than a year for the project team to complete its first test run after the start of construction, which China Space News attributed to innovation and strong government support. The test facility’s tube currently measures 2km in length and is expected to be extended to 60km over the next few years to achieve a top speed of 1,000km/h.

CASIC has been involved in the development of advanced weapons systems, including rail guns and the DF-17, China’s first hypersonic missile to enter service. Some military experts believe that new technologies developed at the Datong hyperloop facility, such as electromagnetic propulsion and power management systems, could be used for defence.

China Hyperloop Technology Advances with Successful Test Runs of Full-Sized Passenger Capsule - Gizmochina

China completes first successful test runs of hyperloop passenger capsule, sets sights on ultra-fast land transport.

www.gizmochina.com

 

[beijingwalker]

China's new hyperloop train completes first test runs successfully​

The train will be the world's fastest ground-based transport technology if the project goes as planned.

Loukia Papadopoulos
Created: Jan 19, 2023 09:50 AM EST

Another Chinese company's hyperloop train.
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group

An ultra-fast hyperloop train in China has completed its first test runs, according to a report by the South China Morning Post published on Thursday.

These consisted of three test runs at a superconducting maglev test line in Datong, Shanxi province that reached speeds of 31 miles/h (50 km per hour). The goal of the next-generation train is to eventually carry passengersi and cargo at a speed of 621 miles/h (1,000 km per hour) or faster in a near-vacuum tube.

The world's fastest ground-based transport technology​

If the project goes as planned, the train will be the world's fastest ground-based transport technology. The facility where the train is being tested is built and run by the Defence contractor China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) which said that all went well during the first few trials.

However, the current tube available for trials measures only 1.24 miles (two km) in length. It is expected to be extended to 37 miles (60 km) over the next few years.

China has the noteworthy distinction of currently operating the world's largest high-speed rail network, with a total length exceeding 26,000 miles (42,000km). The government has ambitious plans to increase the maximum speed of its trains to 248 miles/h (400 km per hour) in the next two years.

As such, it has been investing heavily in hyperloop technology. In October of 2022, researchers at the North University of China successfully completed the test of a Hyperloop-like train system that runs trains in a low vacuum environment inside a tube.

The organization and the Third Research Institute of China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp. jointly set up a laboratory for high-speed maglev vehicles operating in low-vacuum environments. Under this arrangement, the ceremony for the test line was carried out in May of last year in Datong where the trials are now once again taking place.

In October, the line made world history by allowing for the first "full-scale and full-process integrated test" of such a hyperloop system when a maglev train ran at speeds of up to 81m/h (130 km per hour).

Following this success, the laboratory then began the construction of a full-scale 37 miles (60 km) test track to be completed in three phases. The purpose of the full-scale track was reported at the time as to allow the testing of trains at speeds up to 621 miles/h (1,000 km per hour) which seems to be slowly becoming a reality.

An idea that has been around since 2012​

SpaceX founder Elon Musk first introduced the idea of a "hyperloop" tube train back in 2012 and developed The Boring Company to bring the idea to fruition. This saw Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin Galactic, chime in with his own hyperloop company Hyperloop One.

Since then, both these companies have, however, been plagued by technical challenges and financial burdens. Does that mean that China may soon become the leader in the technology, achieving a historic world first? Only time will tell.

China's new hyperloop train completes first test runs successfully

An ultra-fast hyperloop train in China has completed three test runs at a superconducting maglev test line in Datong, Shanxi province.

interestingengineering.com