---
title: "Virgin Hyperloop One’s System Just Broke Elon Musk’s Speed Record"
description: "Virgin Hyperloop One's system just set a new hyperloop speed record, reaching a top speed of nearly 240 miles per hour during phase three testing."
date: "2017-12-19"
modified: "2017-12-19"
authors:
  - name: "Chelsea Gohd"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/chelseagohd.md"
url: "https://futurism.com/virgin-hyperloop-ones-system-broke-elon-musks-speed-record"
categories:
  - "Advanced Transport"
  - "Elon Musk"
  - "Future Society"
  - "Hyperloop"
  - "Mass Transit"
  - "The Industrialists"
tags:
  - "elon musk"
  - "hyperloop"
  - "richard branson"
  - "virgin hyperloop one"
---

# Virgin Hyperloop One’s System Just Broke Elon Musk’s Speed Record

![hyperloop speed record](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/XP-1.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="https://hyperloop-one.com/sites/default/files/styles/blog_hero/public/2017-12/XP-1.jpg?itok=O62UDmxc" target="\_blank"\>SpaceX\</a\>\</em\>*

## Hyperloop Speed Record

On December 18, [Virgin Hyperloop One announced](<https://hyperloop-one.com/virgin-hyperloop-one-names-richard-branson-chairman-closes-50-million-financing-and-sets-new-speed-record>) the completion of third phase testing on the [DevLoop](<https://hyperloop-one.com/blog/first-look-devloop-worlds-only-full-scale-hyperloop-test-track>), the world's first full-scale hyperloop test site. During these tests, the system clocked a lightning-fast speed of nearly 387 kmh (240 mph), breaking the 355 kmh (220 mph) hyperloop speed record set by [Elon Musk's hyperloop](<https://futurism.com/watch-elon-musks-hyperloop-pusher-pod-set-a-new-speed-record.md>) in August.

During this phase of testing, the company experimented with using a new airlock that helps test pods transition between atmospheric and vacuum conditions.

By combining magnetic levitation, extremely low aerodynamic drag, and the level of air pressure experienced at 200,000 feet above sea level, the system proved that it is capable of reaching airline speeds over long distances.

"The recent phase three testing continues to prove the incredible persistence and determination of our DevLoop team — the close to 200 engineers, machinists, welders, and fabricators who collaborated to make hyperloop a reality today," Josh Giegel, Virgin Hyperloop One’s co-founder and chief technology officer, stated in a press release announcing the new hyperloop speed record.

## Advancing Travel

Alongside breaking previous speed records, Virgin Hyperloop One also announced that they'd raised an additional $50 million ahead of their Series C round of funding. "The continued support from our existing investors Caspian Venture Capital and DP World highlight their adamant belief in our ability to execute,” said Giegel.

The company also named [Richard Branson](<https://futurism.com/get-ready-richard-branson-is-investing-in-a-hyperloop.md>) their non-executive chairman. “I am excited by the latest developments at Virgin Hyperloop One and delighted to be its new Chairman," said Branson in the press release.

These positive developments [and others](<https://futurism.com/denver-hyperloop-transportation.md>) confirm that the future of hyperloop transportation is bright. As the repercussions of climate change are realized, many are looking toward the advancement of public transportation to replace personal vehicles.

If proposed hyperloop routes come to fruition, you may soon be able to travel at the speed of a plane but with the convenience of hopping on a train — all with the added bonus of a decreased environmental impact.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://x.com/chelsea_gohd>)

## More

- [Get Ready. Richard Branson is Investing in a Hyperloop.](<https://futurism.com/get-ready-richard-branson-is-investing-in-a-hyperloop.md>)
- [Virgin Hyperloop One Announces Construction Will Begin in 2019](<https://futurism.com/virgin-hyperloop-one-announces-construction-will-begin-in-2019.md>)
- [The First-Ever Passengers Just Rode a Functional Hyperloop](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/first-passengers-hyperloop.md>)
- [New Virgin Hyperloop One Details Revealed at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show](<https://futurism.com/virgin-hyperloop-one-reveal-consumer-electronics-show.md>)
- [Richard Branson Is Building a Hyperloop Testing Center in West Virginia](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/richard-branson-hyperloop-testing-center.md>)
- [Virgin Hyperloop Just Laid Off Almost Half Its Employees](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/virgin-hyperloop-layoffs.md>)
- [The Hyperloop Is Dead. Long Live the Hyperloop.](<https://futurism.com/hyperloop-one-dead.md>)
- [Virgin Hyperloop Wonders: What Does 600 MPH Travel Do to the Brain?](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/virgin-hyperloop-wonders-600-mph-travel-brain.md>)