Can some1 explain Mission Space to me?

[PocahontasLookALike]

I guess I don't really 'understand' this attraction, based off the preview on the Disney website. Is it more like a simulaton like Star Tours or do you actually and physically flip over and spin around?

 

[cheyita]

You do not "flip over" - it is more of a simulator with moving seats. But it is a realistic feeling. The spinning, though, is a different story. You don't realize you are spinning, but that is what they do to give the effect of G-force.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm not the best at explaining it (my DH loves this ride and is much better at explaining but he's at work!) but this is what I think.

You go into a narrow space and there are 4 of you and you each have a job to do. There are controls in front of you and a screen that is suppose to be like you are looking out the window so you each have your own 'window'. It's a small space like being in an space craft.

You 'feel' exactly what it feels like to go into space and fly without realizing how they are doing it. It's amazing. In actuality, the pod you are in is spining in such a fast way that it makes you feel what you'd feel flying in space. Just amazing!

My advice, stare at the screen and do not look around, do not close your eyes, and if possible tense up your stomach muscles. These tips are to help you not feel sick. So far I have been fine afterwards.

 

[tjkraz]

Don't get hung up on the ride mechanism. Yes, it uses a centrifuge-type system, but you don't feel like you are spinning, per se. Don't ask me to explain it.

Just know that it simulates space flight. You get the multiple G-forces at take off (truly a unique experience), moments of weightlessness in space, more G-forces during a slingshot around the moon, and then some bumps and shakes during a rough landing on Mars.

I was a little shaken up by it the first time, but tried it again and had zero problems. Follow the instructions (keep your head back, don't look at the screen, etc.) and you should be fine.

 

[DarthKarl]

The ride is essentially a centrifuge (i.e. it spins you around) that creates centrifugal force, such that it feels like you experiencing a rocket lift-off with increased G-forces. If you look straight ahead in the ride (which you are warned to do), you’ll never realize that you are being spun. It is the same technique that NASA has used to train real astronauts for years.

 

[cheyita]

DarthKarl - welcome to the DIS!

I noticed you because my daughter's name is Cheyenne.

 

[DizBelle]

Here is my description of this ride from a post I made a year ago:

Ok folks.....

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

We rode it twice and thought it was fabulous. My DH does not like roller coasters or rides that drop you and his comment when we got off was "Is that it?"

Here is the sequence of events for those that are interested. I go into detail here so if you don't want the surprises spoiled, don't read this:

1. You are put into a room where you are divided into 10 4-member teams. You get a video briefing from Gary Sinese. Guess what? You're going on a mission to Mars.

2. You move into the centrifuge room where you get one last briefing and a last chance to take the chicken exit and go into the mission control training instead. This is where each member of the team is briefed on their individual tasks during the mission. Your tasks are to push the two buttons in front of you when they start blinking. Not rocket science.

3. You get into the ride vehicles which are closed vehicles with 4 seats in them each with its own screen. The seats are side by side. You are not riding behind someone. You take your seat and pull the harness down. It is a shoulder harness with a broad plate that is over your chest - it is maybe 12 by 8 inches in measurement.

4. The vehicle doors close and the screens tilt toward you. I would liken this the distance that the front seat is from you when you are in the back seat of a car - maybe a little closer. The seats tilt back a little in preparation for launch.

5. Your screen shows the launch bay opening and you see the launch track and the sky. It is time for launch. The video shows you moving up the track toward the sky. The centrifuge is starting to move pretty fast. You feel no spinning but you feel yourself getting pushed against the seat. It moves up to speed very slowly so you don't feel the spinning. This is the first of three "thrusts" in the ride. It is pretty intense. You feel pressure mostly in your chest as you are pushed against the seat. I also felt pressure in my eyes.

6. Once you break the atmosphere, the thrust ends and you are in flying in space. This is where you feel the weightlessness and all this is is tilting you forward in your seat a little so you are supporting some of your weight on that broad plate (12 by 8 inches) that I mentioned before.

7. Then you head for the moon to do a sling shot around it to speed you toward Mars. This is the second thrust. It feels like the first but may be a little longer in duration.

8. Once you sling shot around the moon you are put into "hyper sleep" for the 3 month ride to Mars. All of the lights go out and the vehicle is pitch black to simulate "sleep." It is like this for a few seconds.

9. You are then woken up by alarms because there is trouble at Mars. There is an asteroid field that they weren't expecting so we have to maneuver around it manually. Everyone grabs their joy stick and does what Gary tells us to (LEFT!! RIGHT!! BACK!!!) until we get through it and go to land.

10. This is the third and last of the thrusts. It is felt as you land on Mars and feel the gravitational pull of the planet. Similar to the first two but not as intense and not as long.

11. We maneuver around the surface of the planet to get to the runway. We hit the runway and are all using our joysticks to try and stop but we are careening to the end and we stop just in the nick of time before falling over the cliff at the end.

12. Of course it isn't over, the cliff breaks free and we teeter on the edge and Gary says "Don't anyone move a muscle." We wait until we fall safely back and are no longer teetering on the edge. WE MADE IT!!! And the ride is over.

I really enjoyed this ride. It was quite an experience. It is not loud. I have neck troubles and this didn't cause me any neck problems at all. Aside from the "thrusts" I would say this ride is similar to Star Tours but it is MUCH more gentle in the movement but the movements are more extreme. Star Tours moves you from side to side and tilts you forward and backward but in a jerky way. Mission: Space does this as well but it is not jerky at all. It tilts you in each direction at a greater angle than Star Tours but in a much gentler and smoother fashion.

Hope this helps some of you decide if this ride is for you.....

 

[WL Fan]

I'm telling you what, I salute those of you that can do Mission Space and love it! I like roller coasters, but that was way too much for me. My son, who's 16 loved it and road it many, many times, finally convinced me to ride it with him. It was awful, I couldn't wait to get out of that little "capsule" and back onto Earth! I guess this means I don't quit my day job and join NASA...