Mission Space Explained

[TheGoofster]

OK, I've heard many different opinions and experiences about Mission Space (some good, many not so good), but I still don't really understand just what it is that makes so many people get sick.
What exactly does the ride do (the more specific the explanation the better)? What would it be compared to? The reason I'm asking is because I'm thinking of taking my 10 year old son, and I'm not sure if he will be able to handle it or not. I'm not too worried about myself, because I have never met a ride that got to me (I can spin the teacups as fast and as long as possible without even a slight reaction) but sometimes on a spinning ride like the teacups, my sons eyes start to get a little buggy.
Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[Brocktoon]

Wikipedia to the rescue ... I could give a detailed description, but just read the following link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_Space

As far as getting sick ... the inner ear has tiny hair-like fibers that maintain one's sense of balance. When spinning or moving, information from these fibers are sent to the brain and used along with visual info to keep you balanced. When the fiber movements don't jive well with what your eyes are seeing, you can get very nauseous.

Mission Space is a big centrifuge. If you keep your head back and focus on the screen, your body (and inner ear) should feel like its getting pushed back. That will match the screen and you should be OK. But, if you start turning your head or looking around while the centrifuge is running, those ear fibers will start getting mixed signals and you could potentially get quite sick.

I may not be 100% on all the biology above, but that should give you basics.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Ok..I'll give you my experience. I rode MS once. I usually don't get sick on rides. It was a close space that's suppose to simulate the capsule and the screen for viewing was rather close. But as soon as we "took off" and I was "watching the screen", I could feel that wave come over me; the feeling like I was going to be sick at any minute. Disney has actually simulated an actual take off in a space capsule. So you feel the pressure, the feeling of weightlessness and spinning. I tried to close my eyes; BIG MISTAKE!!! Looking at the screen was NOT an option either! Rather I picked an object on the panel that was stationary and focused on that. I didn't get sick, but I sure prayed that it was a "one way ride".

Now my son, forget it. He can't get enough of that ride. Me; I'll sit it out! But not everyone has that experience! So only you can tell. Why don't you ride it first. Then you'll be able to judge if your son could ride it or not.

Last year I beleive, they opened a modified version of the ride; one that does not simulate the actual "weightlessness and force" of the take off.


P.S. Brocktoon - nice description!! But that focusing on the screen didn't work for me! I thought I was going to die!!!!!!

 

[tinkersmama]

Have you ever heard of the Gravitron ride at county fairs or state fairs? It has a feeling like that.

 

[ChrisFL]

Have you ever heard of the Gravitron ride at county fairs or state fairs? It has a feeling like that.

But that isn't what causes the nausea...as explained above it's the fact that your body tells you that you're spinning, but your eyes show that you're going forward.

Motion simulators like Star Tours and Body Wars (R.I.P.) can also give sickness feelings if the movement of the vehicle doesn't correspond to the movement you see on the screen, I.E. the movement goes left while the screen shows you going to the right...that can also lead to nausea.

Unfortunately I dont know of any other ride that has this bad formula.

 

[Brocktoon]

P.S. Brocktoon - nice description!! But that focusing on the screen didn't work for me! I thought I was going to die!!!!!!

I don't doubt it. Everyone's sensitivity is diffrent, and who knows what may set it off. I've heard that various governments have been working on using sound waves as a non-lethal weapon. Imagine using sound waves to cause someone's inner-ear fibers to go crazy. It could turn the toughest soldier into vomiting mess.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I have to say that I'm not into big drops at all, but I was determined to go on Mission:Space. I did feel a little funny after the first time I rode it, but I completely recovered within about 15 minutes. Well before we were able to get on anything else. I think we walked over towards the Living Seas or Imagination after.

I went on it a second time, and felt even better, but I can't say it's my favorite ride. Having been on the full version twice, I'm inclined to skip it for a while, though I may try the non-spinning version on my next trip. I'm still REALLY glad I went on it.


I wouldn't take a small child on it after the scares, but I think it's something to experience at least once. It is as close to a real flight simulator as most of us will ever get, so that is worth something right there. Even if you don't like it, you'll know for certain that being a test pilot or astronaut isn't for you. On the otherhand, it might just spark a child's interest to go into space for real!