Of course this will be the dumbest comment in this thread but I can't help myself from wondering:
Do you think with something like this they will need to make a few test runs and if so, how would they get the train back up onto the platform. (not that this would really matter if a rocket explodes, destroying the tower as well).
Also, I'm guessing the train will be made of different alloys, you don't want it to melt after a successful launch! (for next time)...
The article says it's designed to get the astronauts down and into a bunker within 4 minutes. They must have incorporated Mean Streak's first drop trim. :)
I think it's for Astronaunts only, but I'm sure the Florida Coaster Club and ACE can work out some deal to ride it. By the way did anyone notice that at 380 feet, it would be the fifth tallest coaster not the thrid? ^_^
I'm guess the "4 minute" time period is for egress from the vehicle for X astronauts, travel and load into the S.S.E.V. (Space Ship Emergency Vehicle) and then the rather short ride to the bottom.
Lord knows they will to training drills just as they did with the old system so I'm sure there will be a way to get the vehicle but up to the starting point.
The picture wasn't very clear, but it almost looked to me like there would be a tiliting platform on which the vehicle would rest until it was "launched".
Rob Ascough said: This may be the dumbest question, but is this designed just for astronauts or are visitors going to be allowed to ride?
It's not really a dumb question. I'm sure there are a lot of enthusiasts who will want to ride. However visitors to Cape Kennedy soon learn that you never get anywhere near an active launch pad. I think the closest our tour bus ever got to the pad was a mile away.