Posts: 3466 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 04-13-2006 01:01 PM
Before you actually enter the "cockpits," one can see that it's a centrifuge. I went on it for the first time last year, and reminded myself to look straight ahead and not move my head and that above all else, the ride is over in a very short period of time.
People have gotten hurt on roller coasters, and I feel safer on M:S because its enclosed.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51152 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-13-2006 11:37 PM
Mission:SPACE opened in August 2003. Up until June 2005, when the young boy died, 8.6 million people had ridden M:S.
Epcot averages 8 to 9 million visitors per year. Between August 2003 and June 2005 there were likely more than 15 million people in the park. That means that after entering Epcot, just under half decided, for one reason or another, not to ride Mission:SPACE. That would seem like it would be fairly effective screening, especially when you consider that at most, M:S only subjects the rider to 1.5 to 2 Gs.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51152 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-15-2006 11:43 AM
The Associated Press cites the findings of the Orange Osceola Medical Examiner Office.
Hiltrud Bluemel, 49, also had severe, long standing high blood pressure, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jan Garavaglia said in a statement.
There was no evidence of trauma, she said.
The official cause and manner of death will not be available for several weeks when tests of the victim's brain, organs and toxicology reports are final, Garavaglia said.
WAWalsh Member
Posts: 809 From: Cortlandt Manor, NY Registered: May 2000
posted 04-18-2006 10:35 PM
Not to make light of it, but the wait leading up to the ride may have contributed more to the stress than the ride itself. The warnings for the ride seem to be placed every ten feet, which is a lot when you are waiting an hour to get in, and then you are given another option to opt out and become a member of Mission Control after a long warning.
The first time I went on the ride, not being a huge fan of amusement park rides (you cannot get me on a roller coaster), I was ready to bolt and leave my eleven year old daughter to her own survival. The whole build up placed an enormous amount of stress and worry on this poor traveler.
After the mission, I felt like Alan Bean — "is that all there is?" Disney might want to think about using the wait time educating people about space travel, rather than heaping on the warnings.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51152 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-02-2006 05:37 PM
Disney will offer two versions of Mission:SPACE, WESH reports.
By the beginning of this summer, park officials will offer two versions of the ride — the original ride and a new version for those who "prefer a milder ride experience," park officials said.
On the gentler version, operators will turn off the spinning centrifuge.
"By offering a second adventure, we hope to broaden the appeal of Mission: Space and enable even more guests to experience the attraction," said Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney World Resort, in a company statement.
WDWMagic.com reports:
Over the past few months, there have been some interesting testing sessions taking place in bay 4 over at Mission: SPACE. During quiet times and after hours, WDI and WDW Engineering have been experimenting with running the ride without any G forces from the centrifuge. This is achieved by the centrifuge not rotating during the ride. All other functions of the capsule remain as they currently are, including the movement of the actual capsule on the centrifuge arm. The aim of this testing is to check for feasibility of having the option for guests to ride either the G-Force edition of M:S, or the much tamer no G-Force edition. In this scenario, there would be 2 routes through the queue, allowing guests to choose their experience. The flexibility of the ride system would also allow a ride bay to be switched to either mode quickly, depending on the demand from either queue.
It is important to note from this that the original ride experience is not being removed, nor is it being toned down. Disney are just considering the option of providing a "no G-Force" alternative for those guests who do not meet the current ride requirements, or are afraid to ride the full force Mission: SPACE. Guests would still be able to ride the full, original version of the attraction.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51152 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-15-2017 07:52 PM
Today (July 15) at D23 Expo 2017, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts announced a new Green Mission at Mission: SPACE will take guests "on a stunning tour around the Earth, and an updated Orange Mission will make the trip to Mars even more spectacular."
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51152 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-10-2017 10:53 AM
Mission: SPACE will relaunch on Sunday (Aug. 13) with new experiences and a new host, Gina Torres, replacing Gary Sinese.
Dodge meteorites, slingshot around the moon or enjoy a breathtaking flight path featuring views of our home planet.
What's it like to be an astronaut? Find out aboard the newly relaunched Mission: SPACE!
Kick off your journey by choosing to feel the full force of an actual space launch and rocket to the Red Planet as part of the Orange Mission. Or you can opt for the brand-new — and less intense — orbit around Earth as part of the Green Mission.
Once you've made your choice, head to the Simulation Lab, which houses a 35-foot-tall gravity wheel like the kind NASA uses to simulate gravity in deep space, as well as a replica of a NASA Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). Then, pass by Training Operations, a glass bullpen where ISTC mission-control personnel are hard at work, manning their control panels.
Before you board, actress Gina Torres will brief you as you prepare for your mission aboard the X-2 Deep Space Shuttle at the International Space Training Center (ISTC). Each member of your 4-cadet crew will assume an important role: navigator, pilot, commander or engineer. During your flight, cadets will be instructed to initiate a mission-critical sequence... so be prepared!
Finally, board your capsule, lower your harness and prepare for an extraordinary mission — one that takes you to space, without ever leaving Epcot.
Remember: your crew is counting on you to ensure a successful voyage and a safe trip home!
Pick Your Level of Intensity
All space-bound cadets will have the chance to choose from two missions. The Orange Mission offers Guests 44" and above a more intense training experience, whereas the all-new Green Mission presents less intense training and a more family-friendly adventure for Guests 40" and above.
The Orange Mission uses a centrifuge that spins and tilts to simulate the speed and G-forces of a spacecraft launch and reentry. Meanwhile, the Green Mission is a motion simulator that doesn't spin and offers light movement.
If you're prone to motion sickness or uncertain about which level to choose, you should opt for the less intense, but still thoroughly exhilarating Green Mission.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51152 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 08-11-2017 06:02 PM
From Attractions Magazine, a look at the new pre-show with Gina Torres, as well as the Earth (green) and Mars (orange) graphics.
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 3466 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 08-11-2017 08:33 PM
I don't care if it's less intense. Having been to Mars, I'd like to do the Earth orbit run.
lspooz Member
Posts: 468 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Aug 2012
posted 08-12-2017 11:12 AM
Dang, now I've got to go through both lines for both missions...
I'll miss Lt. Dan, but it's good to have Washburn as a captain (although a real, retired NASA astronaut would be my first choice).
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51152 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
NASA's next-generation spacecraft have new cameos in Disney's re-launched Mission: SPACE ride in Florida, but the upgraded attraction jettisons a previous reference to the space agency itself.
NASA's James Webb Space Telescope and Orion capsule, slated to lift off in 2018 and 2019, respectively, make quick new appearances in Mission: SPACE, which re-opened on Sunday (Aug. 13) after undergoing its first major revision since premiering at the Walt Disney World Resort's Epcot theme park in August 2003. Designed around a centrifuge ride system to simulate a launch to Mars, Mission: SPACE now features a second, less-intense experience that takes guests on simulated flight into Earth orbit.
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 3466 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 08-14-2017 12:17 PM
quote:Originally posted by lspooz: I'll miss Lt. Dan...
Don't you mean Ken Mattingly? This is twice he got booted!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 51152 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
Judging by a new set of tracks, NASA's Perseverance rover appears it could have taken a brief detour to Walt Disney World in Florida, despite it being on Mars for the past two years.
Guests visiting EPCOT can now come across a tire tread like that left by the six-wheeled rover outside of the theme park's Mission: SPACE attraction. Alas, the marks, which made their debut on Wednesday (Oct. 4) — the first day of World Space Week — were not a sign of Perseverance taking a interplanetary vacation, but rather are the result of a recent collaboration between Disney Imagineers and NASA engineers.
posted 04-13-2006 01:01 PM
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