How Elon Musk’s Technology Could Change the World
Harley Dixon Elon Musk’s Hyperloop train concept is just one of the latest ideas conceived by the billionaire entrepreneur and inventor.
Musk revealed his proposal for Hyperloop transportation just a few months ago, noting that it would be able to shoot passenger-filled pods through long tubes at up to 760mph using renewable solar energy.
The Hyperloop has the potential to revolutionise the way we live, but it is not Musk’s only incredible concept. Here are a few of the South African-born scientist’s other proposed inventions that could change the world for the better.
Private Space Travel
Musk founded the private space travel firm SpaceX in 2002, and is currently its CEO and Chief Designer. SpaceX has already made history by becoming the first private firm to deliver a craft to the ISS. The company’s unmanned Dragon capsule first landed at the space station during a demonstration mission in 2012, and has completed 2 cargo runs since then. The firm holds a $1.6bn contract with NASA to make 12 flights with Dragon and Falcon 9.
SpaceX is also creating a crewed version of Dragon, which might fly astronauts to the space station in the future. The firm is also busy working on a reusable rocket, Grasshopper, in a bid to make space travel cheaper and easier for all.
Interplanetary Settlement
Musk aims to send astronauts to Mars within the next decade or two. He has also created plans for a Red Planet colony on Mars that could one day support as many as 80,000 people.
However, he says that it is essential that his company first develops fully reusable rockets. Once that is done, travellers may even be able to play bingo games for money on rockets while using his payment system PayPal!
Electric Vehicles
Musk has long been interested in electric vehicle technology. In 2003, he founded Tesla Motors, which manufactures electric-powered vehicles and battery packs. Tesla’s vehicles are helping consumers to see electric cars in a new way. The Model S, for example, can go from 0-60mph in 4.0 seconds and performs exceptionally without producing CO2 emissions.
Renewable Power
The entrepreneur’s interest in electric vehicles comes as part of his concern about climate change. It makes sense, then, that he is involved with huge renewable energy plans. Musk is the chairman of SolarCity, a firm which designs and fits clean energy systems for homes, businesses and educational institutions.
The Hyperloop
Musk’s amazing train would use electric motors to accelerate 6 foot wide pods to almost supersonic speeds. The pods would shoot through long tubes mounted on pylons to reduce construction costs and risk of damage to the system. According to Musk, the system would mean that a trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco would take a mere 30 minutes!
The avid entrepreneur hopes that other innovators will continue to improve his Hyperloop design as he is currently busy developing Tesla and SpaceX. However, Musk is still very interested in building a demonstrative model to help bring the concept of the Hyperloop into the real world. this resource from ausvegas