Today's tragedy and Space Shuttle America at SFGAm

A sad day indeed, and hopefully a sign of hope to continue the space program.

Events like this always make me think and one of the first things that came to mind being on this board put today's tragedy and a motion simulator ride at SFGAm focusing on space shuttle missions. I am referring to "Space Shuttle America" located next to the Sky Trek Tower. For those of you that havent seen this ride before, they have the building themed to NASA and a space shuttle.

How do you feel about SFGAm possibly having a tribute film for the 7 astronauts and for the astronauts of the Challenger 17 years ago? Or maybe just having pictures of the Columbia and the 7 men and women in and around the queue area of the ride?

If SFGAm is going to continue to have this ride next year, this would probably be the right thing to do.

Your thoughts.

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2 superheroes in Gurnee next season? Oh the humanity. :)

A memorial would be nice.

--Ryan

I'll certainly look at the ride in a new light. A couple of days ago people said we should scrap it to make room for a new coaster. I think they might reconsider. They should definitely put up some mention of it.

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"I remember the first time I had sex - I kept the receipt."- Groucho Marx

Yes. That would be nice.

However, I didn't know that film was still playing. I only "rode" SS America on it's opening year. Last time I paid attention it was Dino Island (despite the space shuttle out front). Have they changed back? (I didn't even pay attention on my visit this year)

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- "I used to be in the audio/visual club, but I was kicked out because of my views on Vietnam........and I was stealing projectors" - Homer Simpson

Yes, they changed back...

And I think that a memorial to all the people of NASA who have died in the name of space exploration would be very appropriate there.

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« adix@nedesigns.com »

* No one cares about your post count *

Yes, this last season, they switched it back to Space Shuttle America.

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2 superheroes in Gurnee next season? Oh the humanity. :)

Yes, they changed it back.

I would not mind if they re-named the thing Columbia, but my mind works in odd ways. I doubt others would find that tasteful.

I think some sort of recognition of the event would be nice, but I really don't know how they would do this. It would be difficult to work in any sort of reference into the pre-show or the ride itself. The whole point of the ride is to have fun, and any mention of this tradgedy would certainly take away from that. On the other hand, a memorial of some sort near the shuttle would be a little odd, as the attraction has no real connection with the space program.

On the third hand, though, who cares? We can put a memorial up wherever we want, and this seems to be as good a place as any. Yes, Chitown, I think you may be on to something, here. Perhaps someone should contact the park about this?

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I hear America screaming...
*** This post was edited by (SF)Great American 2/1/2003 11:17:47 PM ***

While it would be prudent to make some note, a memorial or what have you, the most that may occur is their mission patch and photo's going up in the queue building.

If I can remember correctly, I think they call the ship you ride in on the ride the columbia. Im not 100% sure about this but I remember hearing something about columbia on the ride.

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Final Deja Vu Count for the 2002 Season: 52
http://www.SFGAmWorld.com

I'm not exactly sure either, but it makes sense, as the carousel is the 'Columbian Carousel.'

Maybe the theme is recurring?

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"Well, I'm sure I'd feel much worse if I weren't under such heavy sedation." - David St. Hubbins, Spinal Tap
http://www.loopscrew.com

No, as the title of the thread implies, the name of the "space shuttle" is America. The whole ride is set in a future where more shuttles have been built, and they are capable of going to the moon. I can see where America might look like Columbia on the shuttle, but if you really look, you will see that America it is.

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I hear America screaming...

there's an easy way to memoralize Columbia without changing the film or the pre-ride stuff. what you do is design a graphic with the Columbia logo, a pic of those who died, and the date that it occured. then you play that while people enter the "space shuttle". it can be something as simple as a still pic with all three elements on it, or it can fade from element to element. this way, they memoralize it, people get to see it, but it has no real impact on the ride itself.

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-Bob (formerly Coaster Jedi)
Matt the mutt 1989-2003
gimmie a hell yeah!

I'm not sure what kind of memorial would be appropiate(sp?) but we should in some way honor the lives of the men and women who were killed in both the Challenger and Columbia accidents. It's the least we can do... RIP 1986 Challenger crew/2003 Columbia crew.

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Don't Fight It, Ride It, RAGING BULL!!!!!!- Six Flags Great America

It could some as general as:

This ride is in honour of the men and woman who have dedicated or given their lives to the exploration and increased understanding of our universe.

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The Other Siebert

I'd like to see it incorporate some sort of documentary about the dangers of space flight and some footage and explanation of the mission of the manned space program, and somehow incorporate some sort of motion or video into it, for say, what a mission to mars or reentry into the earth would actually feel like.

In a sense, I'd like the Space Shuttle America "ride" to become less science fiction, and more of an educational experience of science reality.

I personally think they should get rid of the ride. Sure, a memorial is nice, but what is Six Flags' responsibility on this? They aren't going to spend money on something they don't have to do. That's just my opinion.

Sorry if it sounds like I don't care. I do, I just don't think they should build a memorial (Six Flags).

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The top 3 all time cobrarolls.

1)Raptor's
2)Deja Vu's (times 3)
3)Batman Knight Flight's

If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

I think they should do a memorial for Columbia and Challenger. They both deserve a thought and rememberance. I do know now that many people will have second thoughts about scraping this attraction. I know I think about it differently. And to think one that died grew up and lived very close to the area I live (Laurel Clark) It's just so sad and tragic to think about :( :( :(

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Are you ready to fly in '03 SFGAm??? :)

Some of the ideas mentioned above are good. It doesnt have to be something that reminds you the whole time through the attraction. It would probably be sufficient just to have pictures located where you first enter the building behind that glass showing a replica of a space station.

Also maybe a brief mention of the Columbia and Challenger crew just before they start the film.

I dont know, even a very small mention of it is enough to show that they are in our prayers.

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Arena football has arrived in the Windy City. Go "Chicago Rush"

They don't need to change the ride at all. Maybe add in a few extra minutes of footage or something along those lines. We just something to show how couragous/brave astronouts really are and how they risk their lives everyday for the good of people like me and you.

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Don't Fight It, Ride It, RAGING BULL!!!!!!- Six Flags Great America

Truth be told I think that SS America is a waste of space. After Riding it once it gets kind of old. I have been on similiar size simulators and they change the movies often. Why Gam has only changed the movie once, and then recently changed it back is unknown to me.

The tragedy of the Colombia is just that. There should be a memorial, but why at an Amusement Park? There will probably be one at Arlington Memorial, just like the Challenger.

If SS America is not scraped in the next few years, they should at least change the movie. Even if they keep the theming, change the movie!

To be honest, and this may make me sound very cynical, but in a year, or maybe even six months, is the colombia going to be any more important to the people who weren't directly effected by it? Isn't it going to be very similiar to the Challenger in that when it happened, everyone was so grievious, but then soon after that, they move on? It's horrible to say, I know, but isn't it just a sad part of Human Nature?