China’s maglev train sets new speed record, now aims to achieve speed of one thousand km
Beijing: Experts are hopeful that setting a new record for train speed will pave the way for the future. The new speed of the train has laid the foundation of technology for building high speed test transport in the future. There may be even higher speed trains in the coming times.
China’s magnetically levitated or maglev train has set a new record in terms of speed. China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) has reported that its maglev train achieved a record speed of more than 387 mph (623 kph) during testing in October 2023. This speed sets a new milestone for superconducting maglev vehicles. CASIC has expressed ambitions to build a train that is more than three times faster, with the aim of surpassing the speed of an aeroplane.
CASIC’s third academy described the test as a significant success. Earlier a similar test of high-temperature superconducting maglev technology had reached speeds of 145 mph (234 kph) on a 380-meter track. In the next phase of testing, CASIC plans to extend the track by 37 miles (60 kilometers) and speed the train up to 621 mph (1,000 kph), the South China Morning Post reports. This would make the maglev train faster than most passenger jets, which typically fly at speeds between 575 and 600 mph (925 and 966 kph).
This train runs in the air
Maglev train moves in the air about 10 millimeters above the track due to electromagnetic force. This train runs on Maglev technology, which uses magnetic forces to lift and accelerate the train above the tracks. To increase the speed, the train is passed through a specially designed low-vacuum tube. This is the fastest system ever built. It is with its help that the train achieves such a high speed, which is the speed of a jet plane.
CASIC said the test proved that the vehicle tube and track can work well together, allowing heavy maglev vehicles to remain aloft. The strong movement system and security controls are also working as expected. Chinese agencies are also working on next-generation commercial aerospace electromagnetic launch systems.
