China has recently completed a successful test run of its T-Flight maglev hyperloop project, designed to reach speeds of up to 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) per hour. The test took place in a 2-kilometer low-vacuum tube in Datong, Shanxi Province, marking the first time the train’s systems were tested in an integrated manner, according to the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
Details of the Test
While the developers did not disclose the exact speed reached during the trial, the results reportedly met their expectations. According to Science and Technology Daily, the superconducting maglev vehicle demonstrated controlled navigation, stable suspension, and safe stopping, with its trajectory closely matching theoretical predictions. The test also evaluated several critical technologies, including the large-scale vacuum environment, superconducting navigation control, and system coordination in a low-vacuum setting. A project representative stated that this test improved the system’s technical maturity and laid a solid foundation for future tests.
Earlier this year, in February, the T-Flight train achieved a record speed of 387 miles per hour on a shorter test track, surpassing Japan’s MLX01 Maglev, the world’s fastest operational train with a top speed of 361 miles per hour.
How the T-Flight Works
Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), T-Flight uses magnetic levitation (maglev) technology to lift pods above the track, reducing friction and enabling smoother, faster, and quieter transportation. The project aims to develop a hyperloop train capable of transporting passengers at high speeds through tubes connecting distant locations. The concept of a hyperloop was first proposed in 1910 by American engineer Robert Goddard and later gained popularity after Elon Musk’s 2013 white paper on the subject.
The T-Flight’s recent tests in Datong saw the train reaching speeds of 387 miles per hour in a 2-kilometer low-vacuum tube. The full-sized test line, co-constructed by the Shanxi provincial government and CASIC, is located in Yanggao, Datong, and was completed in November 2023.
Broader Context and Future Prospects
This project represents a significant collaboration between aerospace and rail transportation technologies, aiming to create a train capable of reaching 1,000 kilometers per hour. While Elon Musk’s Hyperloop One was shut down at the end of 2023, other companies like UK-based Virgin Hyperloop continue to explore this technology, with their first successful passenger test conducted in 2020.
China’s advancements in rail technology are impressive, with the country’s total railway length reaching 159,000 kilometers by the end of 2023, including over 45,000 kilometers of high-speed lines.