Transatlantic Hyperloop Tested by Dutch Marine Research Institute
Video Included
The Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (Marin) has carried out the first demonstration tests for a transatlantic underwater hyperloop. Although various parties around the world are working on the development of the hyperloop, no one has ever investigated the underwater version before. With a scale model of 140 metres, the equivalent of 15 kilometres of a real tube, Marin tested how the hyperloop reacts to wave movements at a depth of 50, 100 and 200 metres. This test is important to determine whether any movements of the hyperloop during further development allow the pods to travel through the tube safely and at sufficient speed.
Crossing the Atlantic would require a hyper current that could cover 5,500 kilometres. Marin assumes a speed of 1,000 kilometres per hour. Linda Kemp, project manager at Marin: "A scale model of 140 metres is at least necessary to record how such an immense underwater hair actually reacts to waves. Only at Marin can we test such a model at sufficient depth and with realistic waves in our 170-metre-long seagoing and manoeuvring basin."
Alternative to Planes
William Otto, Marin project manager: "Sustainable use of the sea is an important mission of Marin. We wanted to investigate whether a transatlantic underwater hyperopsy could be a sustainable alternative to the 2,500 planes that cross the ocean every day. Stefan Immerzeel, mechanical engineer at the Hardt Hyperloop adds: "In the hyperloop, we transport pods that are around 30 metres in length and house about 60 people. So, compared to a high-speed rail that would be very small, but we do that to increase our frequency."
Towards a Consortium
Marin is now analysing the results of the various tests. As soon as these are known, the research institute hopes to form a consortium with other parties to further develop the transatlantic underwater hyperloop.
