Mission Space - Ride System

A lot has been made on the internet of potential motion sickness issues with Mission Space. Sources close to the project indicate that this is not as large a problem as is being reported. It is true that the ride vehicles are designed for easy cleanup in the event of someone becoming ill, but it should be noted that this is a requirement of most fast moving Eticket attractions. WDI are working hard to tightly synchronise motion, audio and video to reduce any possible motion sickness effects.

The following is a more detailed look at the post show for Mission Space, as tested back in September 2002. This is how the show was back then, but as always, things are likely to change.

The floor of the postshow area is as shown above. There is a stage with a ramp leading to it. On the stage are two main stations, each divided into four individual consoles, for a total of eight guests on the stage at a time. Additionally, there were two "hosts" for the postshow, each of which rooted for a different team, Orion or Triton, one Gold, one Silver (please note: I could be mistaken as to which of the two teams was assigned which of the two colors as well as which side of the room in the floorplan...don't be surprised if something is reversed). On the main floor were 12 or 16 (can't remember) individual stations for each team (only 12 in the diagram, for the sake of illustration), allowing a total of 24 or 32 (depending) players on the floor and 32 or 40 (again, depending) for the game. The players on stage were the "mission specialists", and the players on the floor were "mission control."

Players onstage were each assigned individual colors (Red, Yellow, Green, Blue) corresponding to one of their team's consoles and representing one of four different ship systems. Players were presented with a diagram of their ship with markers corresponding to their controller's color. At the bottom of the screen, tiles created by the mission control players would appear. Players onstage could grab the tiles by holding the "apply patch" button, then moving them into position, and releasing the apply button to drop them into the markers. As each marker was filled, more would appear until that player's system status reached 100%. Once a player has completed all the repairs for his system, that player could then assist his team-mates by grabbing their systems' tiles and dropping them onto the appropriate markers. Once all system's status reached 100%, one player could then hit the "BOOST" button to move on to the next level. The team that managed to get the most boosts in (or whose ship systems' levels were higher, in the event of a tie) would win.

Mission control players use a console similar to the one in the above diagram (again, button layout may be a bit off) to create the "patches" used by the mission specialists to repair their ships. The individual stations are about the size of the video game demo stations you would find at a department store. Players create the patches by selecting the color corresponding to the patch they want to make (again, red, green, yellow or blue, corresponding to one of the ship's systems). Once the patch type is selected, the player must use the buttons on the console (colored white, in the diagram) to solve an onscreen puzzle. Once the puzzle is solved, players press a button to send them to the crew. Players must listen for cues from their mission specialists, who are encouraged to communicate to mission control what particular tiles they need.

The game lasted for two periods. There was a quick halftime, where the different teams' progress was compared. After the second period, a CG video showed the winner (of course, it ends up being neck-and-neck to the finish line). The winner "docks with the space station", and the other befalls some disaster such as flying off into space towards a distant world.

I have had a report in from Scott who recently took a backstage tour at WDW, and whilst touring around the WDW machine shops area, 4 Mission Space ride pods were clearly visible to the tour group. As detailed previously, the vehicles could clearly be seen to have 4 seats in a row, facing banks of monitors and control switches. Some of the vehicles also had the front portion folded downwards. The exterior of the pods were white in color.

The ride system manufacturer ETC has released the following specs for the generic version of the ride system. The Disney system appears to be a customized version, but would have similar specifications.

- 3 DoF Electric Centrifuge Platform
- +40░/-55░ Pitch
- ▒25░ Roll
- +360░ Planetary
- Up to 2.5 G's - SUSTAINED
- 10 4-Seat Gondolas [40 Seats total per unit]

Some more details are beginning to appear on what will take place inside the ride. Remember this is not officially confirmed information, and is therefore always subject to change.

Information suggests that one of the four ride systems is now in the Test and Adjust phase. While this can be an indication that things are progressing well, we must remember that Rock n Roller had a test and adjust phase of around 6 months, while Test Track's ran for over 12 months. Additional information suggests that only 1 of the 4 ride systems is actually fully installed.

"The "game" is called Space Race. There are 2 teams with 12 computer type labs for each team. Each lab can hold up to 3 people, meaning that this "race" can hold up to at least 50 people or more, depending on your party size. The two teams are called Triton and Orion. Each team is divided into two different sections. Astronauts and Mission Control. Since it is a race, the point of the game is to win. Each team is represented by a spaceship. The race starts off on Mars, then ends at the International Space Station. During the middle of the race something goes wrong and the ships break down. Here comes Mission Controls role. Mission Control must use there labs and try to repair the ship. It is divided into 4 different colors. Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green. Once Control gives the necessary colors to the Astronauts, they place it on the spaceship where it is necessary. Once you reach 100%, you get a boost. These boosts make your spaceship go faster. The point is to get as many boosts as possible to make it to the International Space Station first

There is also an interactive play area for kids (and adults can enjoy it too). It also has Postcards that you can send from space"

Some new info leaking out around the ride system reveals that there are some interactive elements to the ride. Apparently, there will be user interaction required INSIDE the pods during the attraction. The action of the guests inside the pod will influence the outcome of their ride!

The link between ETC (see below) and Disney on the Mission Space project has been apparent since early on in the development of the new pavilion. ETC have recently launched a new website, which appears to give some major clues to the Mission Space ride system. Of course, this is not officially confirmed, and this information is largely based on rumor, and should be treated as such.

The link below is part of the new ETC Entertainment division http://www.therideworks.com, and appears to show concept art of the ride system that I discussed in the update below, dated 13 June 2001.

Notice the central centrifuge design, with a large number of Cyberspace Mountain type motion pods attached. This configuration exactly matches the rumored Mission Space ride system.

"In 1999, Entertainment Technologies Corporation [EnTCo] was formed to focus ETC's unique experience and expertise toward creating the next generation of motion-based simulation attractions.

2001 saw the opening of The Ride Works, EnTCo's premiere attraction development facility. The Ride Works offers the world sustained G's and continuous 360║ motion in up to four axes.

Wait till you see what happens in 2003 . . ."

There are suggestions that part of the ride system was delivered to the Central Shops behind the Magic Kingdom a few days ago. Eye witnesses report seeing a large flat bed truck, with what looked like parts that match the "Space Simulator Pod" concept. The truck was being escorted by Disney security. (Thanks to Jason for the information)

While information on the actual ride system for Space is very sketchy, there are a few clues floating around the web. The origins of the Mission Space ride system appears to date back to a project that Disney developed for Disney Quest, called CyberSpace Mountain. To allow guests to create and then RIDE their own coaster, Disney worked with a company called ENVIRONMENTAL TECTONICS CORPORATION - specialists in simulated environments. (I believe Screamscape were the first to find the ETC connection)

"Two years ago, ETC began collaborating with the Walt Disney Company on a project that evolved from our unique and proprietary knowledge of the human bodyТs physiology and psychology and our complementary motion base technology. Through developing and manufacturing this highly successful entertainment ride for Disney, our relationship with the entertainment giant blossomed in ways unimagined, making Disney a premier customer. We feel extremely proud of that relationship, and hope to foster it for a long time to come. Accordingly, we have formed a separate company, Entertainment Technology Corporation, to provide the needed focus, dedication and commitment necessary to ensure its long-term success. Such a valued customer deserves no less."

The above release relates to the CyberSpace Mountain projects. So at this point, we know Disney was/is working with ETC. The actual CyberSpace Mountain simulator appears to be one of these http://www.etcusa.com/atsglab.htm

With this in mind, the following press release was made by ETC. This appears to be talking about the Mission: SPACE project. The time frame, budget, references to the 'Major Entertainment Industry Customer' all seem to fit the bill.

Environmental Tectonics Corporation Signs Major Entertainment Ride Contract; Company Backlog Hits Record Level
Wednesday, February 2, 2000 07:47 AM
SOUTHAMPTON, Pa., Feb. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- William F. Mitchell, President and CEO, Environmental Tectonics Corporation (ETC) (Amex: ETC), announced the signing of a contract with a major entertainment industry Customer on January 28, 2000. The contract, exceeding $25 million in value, with an approximately 3-year performance period, was awarded to ETC's wholly owned subsidiary, Entertainment Technology Corporation, and will be performed at ETC's Southampton, PA, facilities. The total project will entail the design and production of a totally new entertainment ride attraction, and also includes supervising of installation. In issuing the announcement, Mitchell noted that the project has been in the development stage for over 18 months, and is now ready to enter the final design and production stages. The development effort represented a unique cooperative effort between ETC and its Customer, whose identity may not be disclosed because of contractual prohibitions. The Customer's selection of ETC for this major project was a direct result of ETC's exceptional combination of advanced ride perception technology and superior technical and manufacturing capabilities. Mr. Mitchell also commented that, "This contract reflects the Customer's high level of confidence in our ability to work with them on a day-to-day basis. This confidence has been evidenced by several other very successful entertainment rides we have produced for them, and several projects now in progress. It is certainly a major milestone, and it firmly establishes ETC as a major player in the robustly expanding entertainment ride market."

With the addition of this contract, ETC's total backlog now approaches $53 million -- the largest in its 30-year history.

For nearly 30 years, ETC has been on the leading edge of the design, manufacture, installation, training and long-term maintenance of its products in the U.S. and 65 countries worldwide. These products include: aircrew training systems for standard and high-performance aircraft; disaster management simulators; industrial sterilization equipment and environmental simulation systems; clinical Hyperbaric systems, entertainment/amusement systems; and related hardware and software products. ETC's main plant and offices are located in Southampton, PA, USA, with subsidiary locations in Orlando, FL, the UK, Warsaw, Poland and Ankara, Turkey.

Certain matters in this press release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. This includes, but is not limited to, market acceptance of new products, competitive actions, economic conditions, and other risks indicated in filings from time to time with the Securities Exchange Commission.

SOURCE Environmental Tectonics Corporation

Assuming the above is talking about Space, is is pretty handy that ETC also have a centrifuge product - http://www.etcusa.com/atsgfet.htm
which would appear to fit the sketchy descriptions we have heard of the Space ride system.

So if the above IS true, it appears that Mission: SPACE is going to be comprised of 4 of these centrifuge simulators, with 4 person pods attached to multiple arms of the centrifuge. Disney will be then using advanced onboard effects to simulate both the visual and physical effects of a training mission to space.

The above press release states the ECT project is worth $25million. We know from earlier rumors that the overall project is to be upwards of $100million - so one question that has to be asked is where is the remaining $75million going? Could Mission: SPACE be the first outing for C.A.V.E, or some other new visual simulation technology?