Connect with us

News

SpaceX unveils rules for third Hyperloop contest, pods must propel themselves

Published

on

Following a successful search for the fastest pod during SpaceX’s second Hyperloop Competition, the Elon Musk-founded space exploration company has released rules for its third competition, which will require that each competing pod propel itself. Competition II saw both WARR Hyperloop and SpaceX and Tesla’s own pusher-pod break the top speed records for vacuum trains, respectively reaching 202 mph and 220 mph during runs in the Test Loop. Elon Musk has since suggested that the Tesla-built pusher pod could reach speeds of 300 mph or greater with some small modifications.

Similar to Competition II, the next competition slated for mid-2018 requires that all interested teams be composed of students working to develop either a new pod or a significantly modified pod from any that participated in earlier competitions. This time, however, no pod will be allowed to receive assistance from the pod-pusher, meaning that each competing pod must have its own independent system of propulsion. The new contest will have a singular pursuit of maximum pod speed and controlled deceleration.

Loosely scheduled for “Summer 2018”, Competition III will likely occur after several more tests of SpaceX’s own pusher pod, as the company aims to cross the 300 mph goal Musk previously set. There is an immense amount of value to be derived from applying engineering theory and working as a group while attempting to produce a pod, regardless of whether it works or wins. SpaceX’s sponsorship of the event is a testament to that fact.

Elon Musk poses with WARR Hyperloop, the victors of SpaceX’s Hyperloop Competition II. (SpaceX)

However, public perception and the majority of media coverage will almost certainly focus on Competition III as a drag race to crown a victor. It is certainly guaranteed to be the most competitive Hyperloop competition thus far. The teams participating in the contest will likely also be performing alongside companies like Hyperloop One, who are sure to strive for faster runs after their top speed crown was stolen.

While the competitive aspect of the event will grab the spotlight, SpaceX is still open to allowing almost any team that wants to trial their pod in the Test Loop, albeit without a vacuum environment. All main pod competitors will be required to vacuum test their pods, but Competition III will also feature a sort of sub-competition that will allow pods without their own propulsion to test their levitation systems on an external track.

Advertisement
-->

The submission deadline for Intent to Compete forms is September 29, 2017, and the actual dates of the competition will likely be released in the coming months. To all who choose to compete, #breakapod!

H/T Marco Papa

[pdf-embedder url=”http://www.teslarati.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/SpaceX-Hyperloop-Comp-III-Rules.pdf”]

Eric Ralph is Teslarati's senior spaceflight reporter and has been covering the industry in some capacity for almost half a decade, largely spurred in 2016 by a trip to Mexico to watch Elon Musk reveal SpaceX's plans for Mars in person. Aside from spreading interest and excitement about spaceflight far and wide, his primary goal is to cover humanity's ongoing efforts to expand beyond Earth to the Moon, Mars, and elsewhere.

Advertisement
Comments

News

Ford cancels all-electric F-150 Lightning, announces $19.5 billion in charges

“Rather than spending billions more on large EVs that now have no path to profitability, we are allocating that money into higher returning areas, more trucks and van hybrids, extended range electric vehicles, affordable EVs, and entirely new opportunities like energy storage.”

Published

on

Credit: Ford Motor Co.

Ford is canceling the all-electric F-150 Lightning and also announced it would take a $19.5 billion charge as it aims to quickly restructure its strategy regarding electrification efforts, a massive blow for the Detroit-based company that was once one of the most gung-ho on transitioning to EVs.

The announcement comes as the writing on the wall seemed to get bolder and more identifiable. Ford was bleeding money in EVs and, although it had a lot of success with the all-electric Lightning, it is aiming to push its efforts elsewhere.

It will also restructure its entire strategy on EVs, and the Lightning is not the only vehicle getting the boot. The T3 pickup, a long-awaited vehicle that was developed in part of a skunkworks program, is also no longer in the company’s plans.

Instead of continuing on with its large EVs, it will now shift its focus to hybrids and “extended-range EVs,” which will have an onboard gasoline engine to increase traveling distance, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“Ford no longer plans to produce select larger electric vehicles where the business case has eroded due to lower-than-expected demand, high costs, and regulatory changes,” the company said in a statement.

Advertisement
-->

While unfortunate, especially because the Lightning was a fantastic electric truck, Ford is ultimately a business, and a business needs to make money.

Advertisement
-->

Ford has lost $13 billion on its EV business since 2023, and company executives are more than aware that they gave it plenty of time to flourish.

Andrew Frick, President of Ford, said:

“Rather than spending billions more on large EVs that now have no path to profitability, we are allocating that money into higher returning areas, more trucks and van hybrids, extended range electric vehicles, affordable EVs, and entirely new opportunities like energy storage.”

CEO Jim Farley also commented on the decision:

“Instead of plowing billions into the future knowing these large EVs will never make money, we are pivoting.”

Advertisement
-->

Farley also said that the company now knows enough about the U.S. market “where we have a lot more certainty in this second inning.”

Continue Reading

News

SpaceX shades airline for seeking contract with Amazon’s Starlink rival

Published

on

Credit: Richard Angle

SpaceX employees, including its CEO Elon Musk, shaded American Airlines on social media this past weekend due to the company’s reported talks with Amazon’s Starlink rival, Leo.

Starlink has been adopted by several airlines, including United Airlines, Qatar Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, WestJet, Air France, airBaltic, and others. It has gained notoriety as an extremely solid, dependable, and reliable option for airline travel, as traditional options frequently cause users to lose connection to the internet.

Many airlines have made the switch, while others continue to mull the options available to them. American Airlines is one of them.

A report from Bloomberg indicates the airline is thinking of going with a Starlink rival owned by Amazon, called Leo. It was previously referred to as Project Kuiper.

American CEO Robert Isom said (via Bloomberg):

Advertisement
-->

“While there’s Starlink, there are other low-Earth-orbit satellite opportunities that we can look at. We’re making sure that American is going to have what our customers need.”

Isom also said American has been in touch with Amazon about installing Leo on its aircraft, but he would not reveal the status of any discussions with the company.

The report caught the attention of Michael Nicolls, the Vice President of Starlink Engineering at SpaceX, who said:

“Only fly on airlines with good connectivity… and only one source of good connectivity at the moment…”

CEO Elon Musk replied to Nicolls by stating that American Airlines risks losing “a lot of customers if their connectivity solution fails.”

Advertisement
-->

There are over 8,000 Starlink satellites in orbit currently, offering internet coverage in over 150 countries and territories globally. SpaceX expands its array of satellites nearly every week with launches from California and Florida, aiming to offer internet access to everyone across the globe.

SpaceX successfully launches 100th Starlink mission of 2025

Currently, the company is focusing on expanding into new markets, such as Africa and Asia.

Advertisement
-->
Continue Reading

News

Tesla Model Y Standard stuns in new range test, besting its Premium siblings

Tesla’s newer vehicles have continued to meet or exceed their EPA estimates. This is a drastic change, as every 2018-2023 model year Tesla that Edmunds assessed did not meet its range estimates.

Published

on

Credit: Tesla

The Tesla Model Y Standard stunned in a new range test performed by automotive media outlet Edmunds, besting all of its Premium siblings that are more expensive and more luxurious in terms of features.

Testing showed the Model Y Standard exceeded its EPA-estimated range rating of 321 miles, as Edmunds said it is the “longest-range Model Y that we’ve ever put on our loop.” In the past, some vehicles have come up short in comparison with EPA ranges; for example, the Model Y’s previous generation vehicle had an EPA-estimated range of 330 miles, but only drove 310.

Additionally, the Launch Series Model Y, the first configuration to be built in the “Juniper” program, landed perfectly on the EPA’s range estimates at 327 miles.

It was also more efficient than Premium offerings, as it utilized just 22.8 kWh to go 100 miles. The Launch Series used 26.8 kWh to travel the same distance.

It is tested using Edmunds’ traditional EV range testing procedure, which follows a strict route of 60 percent city and 40 percent highway driving. The average speed throughout the trip is 40 MPH, and the car is required to stay within 5 MPH of all posted speed limits.

Advertisement
-->

Each car is also put in its most efficient drive setting, and the climate is kept on auto at 72 degrees.

“All of this most accurately represents the real-world driving that owners do day to day,” the publication says.

With this procedure, testing is as consistent as it can get. Of course, there are other factors, like temperature and traffic density. However, one thing is important to note: Tesla’s newer vehicles have continued to meet or exceed their EPA estimates. This is a drastic change, as every 2018-2023 model year Tesla that Edmunds assessed did not meet its range estimates.

Tesla Model Y Standard vs. Tesla Model Y Premium

Tesla’s two Model Y levels both offer a great option for whichever fits your budget. However, when you sit in both cars, you will notice distinct differences between them.

The Premium definitely has a more luxurious feel, while the Standard is stripped of many of the more premium features, like Vegan Leather Interior, acoustic-lined glass, and a better sound system.

Advertisement
-->

You can read our full review of the Model Y Standard below:

Tesla Model Y Standard Full Review: Is it worth the lower price?

Continue Reading