KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Virgin Hyperloop is partnering with a Kansas company on a prototype of its “groundbreaking travel venture,” Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced Friday.
Virgin Hyperloop will work with Wichita-based Spirit AeroSystems engineers, fabricators, builders, supply chain and certification experts, and technicians.
Hyperloop is a new ultrafast mode of mass transportation in which pods accelerate gradually through a low-pressure tube using electric propulsion and magnetic levitation.
Reaching speeds of nearly 700 mph, the hyperloop has the potential to carry travelers from Kansas City to St. Louis in Missouri (a state which has been discussed as a test site) in just a half-hour.
The pods are similar to an airplane fuselage and glide along their track at airline speeds, which makes for an ideal match with Spirit.
“As one of the most credible aerospace-grade structures companies in the world, Spirit AeroSystems provides a strong fit for our team as we look to build out strong partners in the hyperloop ecosystem,” Josh Giegel, Chief Technology Officer of Virgin Hyperloop, said.
Kelly said the opportunity shows Kansas is on the front lines for business development and growth.
“I’m pleased that Virgin Hyperloop has partnered with one of Kansas’ biggest and most reputable manufacturers, Spirit AeroSystems,” Kelly said. “Spirit has been an important contributor to our state for many years, including its recent partnership with Vyaire Medical to produce ventilators in the wake of COVID-19. With this new announcement, Spirit is continuing to demonstrate why Kansas is the preeminent destination for business to grow and thrive.”
Virgin Hyperloop was the first company worldwide to build and test a hyperloop at scale.
The company is currently pursuing the creation of the United States’ first Hyperloop Certification Center.
