Evacuated Air Transport

[Phil]

On Friday morning I was called upon by my local radio station to discuss the feasibility of this idea (the DJ is a friend of mine). Although the science is sound, the engineering problems are significant - the vacuum in the tube would have to be pretty good, and if it fails while the capsule is travelling at 4000 mph, things are going to get very hot, very quickly. Air friction would be significant at that speed. The capsule will also need a good independent air supply too. I wouldn't be queueing up to ride on the first one - the hazards are not that different from space flight.

Of course, building the first transatlantic tunnel has been a straightforward concept for over a century. In fact, it's amazing that no-one has done it yet…

Phil M1GWZ



On 22 Apr 2012, at 18:51, Joseph Bento wrote:

> I really must read more.  I had not previously heard of this method of transport.  I take it there are funding problems, or something is wrong with the concept?  It seems nearly unbelievable that one could traverse the country in about the same time I take in my morning commute.  If the cost estimates are accurate, it might seem there should be full funding for this project.
> 
> http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/896790-evacuated-tube-transport-to-enable-round-the-world-travel-in-just-6-hours
> 
> Joe, N6DGY
> 
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