Southern California design firm BRC Imagination Arts has conceptualized a zero-gravity roller coaster designed to give riders a sustained feeling of weightlessness. The ride is modeled after NASA's Vomit Comet, the high-altitude airplane used to train astronauts.
The zero gravity roller coaster would shoot riders straight up a right angle à la Six Flags Magic Mountain's Superman: Escape from Krypton. Riders would be buckled in, but not too tightly so as to restrict movement. There would also be a goodie bag of sorts for them to play with during the ride. The bag's contents (water, a gyroscope and a ball were listed) are meant to show riders how gravity affects certain items. BRC Imagination Arts says that the roller coaster could seat between six and 16 and that it would cost $50 million to build.
Zero-Gravity Roller Coasters
BRC Imagination Arts Designs a Vomit Comet for Theme Parks
Trend Themes
1. Zero-gravity Attractions - The creation of novel attractions and rides that simulate zero-gravity experiences for adventurous thrill-seekers.
2. Educational Ride Experiences - Designing rides that provide both an entertaining and educational experience, with interactive elements that teach riders about the science of gravity and motion.
3. High-altitude Simulation Technology - Advances in technology that enable the development of simulated experiences of high-altitude environments, such as zero-gravity motion rides and astronaut training simulators.
Industry Implications
1. Amusement Parks - Developing innovative and exciting rides that draw visitors seeking novel and thrilling experiences.
2. Virtual Reality - Integrating virtual reality and other cutting-edge technology into amusement park attractions, to create more immersive and realistic experiences for riders.
3. Space Exploration - The development of high-altitude simulation technology has applications in astronaut training and could lead to new innovations in human spaceflight.