[dclowd9901]

For the lack of space between the tube and the carrier, is wireless electrical transfer out of the question? Or is that not feasible with the amount of electricity being dealt with here?

[adventureartist]

My understanding is that putting the air power in the capsule is in part to make the tube simpler and cheaper to make and maintain.

[mpyne]

Wireless power transfer would likely significantly complicate the design and construction of the tube itself, which as it stands can be just a dumb hollow cylinder on a stick for the vast majority of its length.

Perhaps the redundant vacuum pumps are spaced frequently enough that the power transfer problem would be easy, but I doubt it.