Mission:Escape

http://www.cfnews13.com/StoryHeadline.aspx?id=20015

 

NASA plans to build an $8 million roller coaster at the launch pad for the next generation of space vehicles.

 

Astronauts could use the coaster rail car system to escape from the launch pad in an emergency.

 

NASA approved the plans for the system on Friday after looking over four options.

 

The coaster escape system is the most expensive at roughly $8 million, but it is also the quickest escape from the pad. Designs show it's just an 18 second ride to the end of the line.

 

The current space shuttle launch pad has a slide wire basket system for emergencies, but documents show it is slower and more expensive to maintain than the coaster escape.

 

NASA is asking vendors to submit design proposals for the coaster escape system. It’s expected to start this year with plans to start making the parts for the system in two years.

 

*images courtesy of NASASpaceFlight.com.

 

Too bad we wont be able to ride it, looks like it might be... Fun maybe?

Looks awesome!! i wouldn't mind riding it!

 

I'm too lazy to read the article.... How tall is that?

Hmm... Think Vekoma might win this? A Vekoma headshaker for the Astronauts?... Although perhaps they would use that new style of car...

 

Or maybe an S&S Screaming Squirrel would be ideal... Oh think of it... It almost looks like the cars of the SS. Of course this would likely be faster...

That looks awesome. That would be a huge drop wouldn't it?

That looks cooler than going to Mars. Now want to be an astronaut just

to have an emergancey!

That's pretty cool... Then again, it also looks quite tacky!

So first they teased us with going to space. Now Nasa is going where no man has gone before and is going to start teasing the public with an awsome ride that they will never be able to ride... Thanks Nasa...

That looks cooler than going to Mars. Now want to be an astronaut just

to have an emergancey!

 

Yeah Im with Dallas on this one! Where do I sign up to be an Astronaut! And what buttons should I push to activate an emergency?

 

haha!

 

-Ryan

one credit i doubt many if anyone will get, to bad.

Darn I got all excited thinking they were gonna open it to the public!

Darn I got all excited thinking they were gonna open it to the public!

Hey if their funding gets cut anymore they just might... Probably won't be cheap though and you will probably have to go through security clearance tests and the like to get there...

Come on, they should have at least through in a loop and a couple of air hills and other twists to it. Lame! But I'd guess if they did that, the astronaunts would be like, OMG... there is an emergency. Well I guess we have to use that roller coaster.... Oh noes....

im guessing there wont be a POV then...

We all know, that somehow, some way, Robb has a Hook up at Nasa and WE WILL SEE the POV of this coaster...

 

-Ryan

^He's right.

 

They don't say anything about height, but it doesn't matter if its a Vekoma as they will all be wearing helmets. Hell Togo could build it considering that.

how wll they move it?

 

i mean you have a giant rocket in a giant launch pad being moved on a giant platform being held by a giant crawler (literally at 2mph). Now you have this giant coaster running down the side that extends out to giant lengths and a highway on the side, hmm I wouldn't want to be driving my giant hummer SUV

Awesome. Now they can redo Mission:Space at Epcot. Didn't do your "job" and you jeapordized the mission? That's okay... just ride this here roller coaster.

At first I thought this was some extremely themed roller coaster. Then I thought it was an escape route for the astronauts, but in the meantime, a ride for the public. Then I realized I was just wrong.

Now, it's just a matter of time before an amusement park builds a themed rollercoster exactly like this with more elements at the end.

how wll they move it?

 

i mean you have a giant rocket in a giant launch pad being moved on a giant platform being held by a giant crawler (literally at 2mph). Now you have this giant coaster running down the side that extends out to giant lengths and a highway on the side, hmm I wouldn't want to be driving my giant hummer SUV

I don't believe the launch pad moves... It is just the shuttle and boosters as far as I know... I mean a mobile launch platform for something with that much thrust would be pretty impractical.

^ no theres a giant crawler that carres the rocket to it's launch site, it runs right next to the highway at a blazing 2 mph!

^ & ^^

 

Your right.

 

The launch pad is mobile. It does carry only the shuttle with boosters and tank. It is carried out to the lunch site by a giant crawler. The launch tower is stationary at the launch pad. The coaster would be attached to the tower and thus never moved.

That would make a good way for NASA to get extra funding. Sell tickets for the ride, T-shirts, on-ride photos, the works! I wouldn't be surprised if Intamin was involved in this, as they have a history of killing people too.

The lunch pad is mobile.

 

 

Mmmmmm....Lunch Pad....*drools*

I first thought Escape Coaster was for all o' us but too bad

to know that's NOT gonna open for our peeps! Then what

was that stuff for lol?! Let us open NASA cool spot anytime.....

 

 

1st we gonna lift up in cable lift 'n next we gonna get ready

to drop launch pad-story tall, speedin' up to max!

Launch Pad's Goodness!