Images: Hyperloop
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- It is a closed twin tube transportation system providing uninterrupted traffic in both directions.
- It will be elevated, as I speculated in my first article. No surprise there, it really is the only economical choice. (Don’t give me too many points for that one!)
- The tubes will be partially evacuated of air, about 1/6 the air pressure on Mars or equal to an altitude of 150,000 feet in Earths atmosphere, or a partial vacuum.
- The cabins of the pods would therefore be pressurized with a backup air supply and oxygen masks for emergencies.
- The pods will be propelled by a rail gun powered by Hyperloop’s power system. We can assume solar panels and battery packs here.
- The pods will ride on a cushion of compressed air powered by batteries in the pod and mostly coast between the rail gun at each end.
- The pods will travel very fast and must do so to be efficient. The maximum velocity would be just below the speed of sound, about 700 miles per hour.
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- The first is an all passenger version carrying 28 seats.
- The second, I’m assuming larger, system would carry three automobiles and their passengers.
- The Hyperloop system would split the power load between the pods batteries and the Hyperloop's own power systems to maximize efficiency.
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- The Hyperloop Tube will be in a partial vacuum.
- The rail gun will speed the pod up to maximum velocity.
- The air bearings will allow the pod to glide almost frictionlessly.

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- Some of the air is highly compressed for use in the air bearings. Bottled air can be used as a backup for the air bearings in case of power failure in the pod.
- Most of the air sucked into the pod is channeled through the its body around the passenger compartment and funneled right out the back, just like those old Saber jets!

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