Mint Primer: What’s as fast as sound, yet moves at a snail’s pace?

Why this renewed buzz over hyperloop? Hyperloop proposes a low-pressure tube system where magnetically levitated pod-like vehicles can transport cargo and passengers at speeds of 1,000-1,200km per hour. Commercial jets cruise at around 900km per hour while magnetic levitation, or maglev, trains like Japan’s L0 Series can reach 600km an hour but still fall short of hyperloop’s projected speeds. Hardt Hyperloop could only achieve about 30km per hour in the initial test over 100m, while China’s T-Flight hyperloop could touch about 620km an hour. High-speed hyperloop routes for shorter distances could help ease congestion and provide a sustainable alternative to existing travel options.