Our Crowdfunding Groups
HyperXite still needs $3,000 to help pay for our team’s travel costs to participate in the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition this July!
We've come this far and we couldn't have done it without your help! Thanks to your generous donations and support, we've been able to purchase all the items needed for three of our major subsystems (read about them below)! Now we need your help to get to the competition!
1. Static Structures: This campaign funded all of the carbon fiber needed for each of the fairing, two pressure vessel buckets, as well as our structure!
The static structures team is responsible for creating a composite structure that can safely integrate all necessary hardware as well as design and manufacture the carbon fiber fairing and pressure vessels. Below is the mold we'll be using in the next few days to complete the carbon fiber layup of our fairing.
Mold for carbon fiber layup (left) Carbon fiber fairing render (right)
2. Dynamic Structures: This campaign funded THREE highly rated shocks needed to properly damp the system and protect the motor from damaging vibrations during our run. Without this component, our propulsion system would simply not work!
Responsible for ensuring the pod is correctly stabilized throughout the run time through 12 stabilizer wheels and mounts as well as providing damping to the motor and drive wheel. This subsystem is crucial to having a safe run that doesn't harm SpaceX's I-beam track during our run this July.
Render of HyperXite Pod
3. Power and Control Systems: This campaign funded three High Voltage Feedthroughs that are used to connect our electric motor to the high voltage batteries located in our pressure vessels. These are used because high voltage batteries are explosive in vacuum. Without these feedthroughs, our motor would not be able to access its power source!
Responsible for the integration of electronic components throughout the pod. The main responsibilities include designing the printed circuit board (PCB) and collecting and processing data from sensors and writes the code that programs the pod.
High voltage feedthrough connected to batteries and motor controller
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About HyperXite
HyperXite is F.A.S.T. - Future of Affordable and Sustainable Transportation
Hyperloop Concept
The Hyperloop is a new idea proposed in 2013 by Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla Motors. The Hyperloop would consist of a long tube that would connect one city to another. This tube is held at a low pressure, allowing pods to travel through the tube at high speeds with very low friction. The Hyperloop has the potential to transport people across cities more economically than any other existing mode of transportation. A trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco would take about 35 minutes while reaching top speeds upwards of 760 mph.
SpaceX is currently facilitating the development of the Hyperloop by hosting the annual Hyperloop Pod competition in Hawthorne, CA. The competition consists of over 600 of the best teams in the world with only as few as 30 teams proceeding to the construction phase of the competition.
Goal
To build a high speed, self propelled Hyperloop pod and complete a safe and successful vacuum run at the fourth SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition in July, 2019.
Objectives
1. Reach a top speed of 245 mph
2. Ensure all components are vacuum safe for the test track
3. Real-time pod behavior monitoring
4. Must be able to stop the pod 100 ft before the end of tube
The Team
HyperXite is a team of undergraduate students aiming to compete in the Fourth SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition in the summer of 2019. The Hyperloop concept, first proposed by Elon Musk in 2013 has the potential to change the way we see the future of affordable and sustainable transportation.
HyperXite is currently designing a new pod in preparation for Hyperloop Competition Weekend IV. We are utilizing novel propulsion methods, high voltage systems, and passive magnetic braking. HyperXite aims to have the fastest pod at the next competition, targeting a maximum speed of 245 mph. Our team is also hard at work improving and iterating all our subsystems including our passive magnetic braking that has been proven to work in the SpaceX Hyperloop tube during competitions I & II.
The 2018-2019 HyperXite team
Thank you for your generous donation! Your donation helps us kick start our path to success.
With your donation, we will be able to clock in at our fastest speed yet! Thank you so much for your contribution!
Your contribution allows us to purchase necessary components we need to ensure the quality and safety of our Hyperloop Pod. Thank you so much for your donation!
A donation of this size shows that are a serious supporter in what we do in HyperXite. You have made an enormous impact on the team and have boosted our success in competition. As our thanks, you will get a shout-out on our social media!
Your donation means that you truly believe in our vision of the Hyperloop and in every single member on the team. As our thanks, you will get a shout-out on our social media and your name put on our website!
