I just saw this and was rather surprised. I swore, but the moderator then came and washed my mouth out with soap.
Dave is in the news about the new Mission:Space attraction at Epcot!
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/media/photo/2003-07/8433252.jpg
Also, here is the article text and links (make sure to check out the M:S video!!!)
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-talking070203,0,389650.photo
gasp I wanna go!!! 
That’s why Nats should’ve returned to Disney in '04!
So, Dave, what’d you think of the ride?
I think this calls for a hell yeah. Go Dave!
If you ask me, this is just furthering the cause to have Nats at Epcot next season. It’s kinda like Dave is endorsing having Nats there. Finally,
::laughs at Joseph for having Brandon wash his mouth out with soap::
*Originally posted by JosephM *
**… Also, here is the article text and links (make sure to check out the M:S video!!!)http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-talking070203,0,389650.photo **
The story is at http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-bizmissionspace02070203jul02.story
oops, my bad, I guess I’m that stupid not to re-copy the link.
Also, I’m going to my big WDW trip this tuesday, so I’ll get to ride it!!!
[edit]
Dave and guys, check this out… http://www.wesh.com/video/2307850/detail.html
[/edit]
*Originally posted by M. Krass *
**So, Dave, what’d you think of the ride? **
It’s kick-(some large body part that I sit on)!!! I rode it again this week at the press unveiling, and had a lot of fun.
Of course, I kind of have to say that. I, and several other folks on the NASA Mars team, have been consulting with Disney for nearly three years on Mission:Space. We have been providing the attraction designers with a lot of technical and scientific background information, video and photo images, technical validation, etc.
The ride gives you a four-minute (i.e. highly compressed) simulation of a space flight from Earth to Mars. Without giving away the whole story line, I can tell you that you get a LOT of sensory input during the experience. When you enter the ride, you get multiple warnings that persons that are sensitive to motion sickness should not ride. PAY ATTENTION TO THE WARNINGS! (NASA’s version isn’t called the “Vomit Comet” for nothing! 
) Big clue: look at the object in the background of the picture.
-dave
*Originally posted by dlavery *
**It’s kick-(some large body part that I sit on)!!! I rode it again this week at the press unveiling, and had a lot of fun.Of course, I kind of have to say that. I, and several other folks on the NASA Mars team, have been consulting with Disney for nearly three years on Mission:Space. We have been providing the attraction designers with a lot of technical and scientific background information, video and photo images, technical validation, etc.
The ride gives you a four-minute (i.e. highly compressed) simulation of a space flight from Earth to Mars. Without giving away the whole story line, I can tell you that you get a LOT of sensory input during the experience. When you enter the ride, you get multiple warnings that persons that are sensitive to motion sickness should not ride. PAY ATTENTION TO THE WARNINGS! (NASA’s version isn’t called the “Vomit Comet” for nothing!
-dave **
So, umm shuffles feet . … y’know any Imagineers looking for an intern? 
There’s nothing I love more than what the folks at Walt Disney Imagineering do.
I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about the ride – from People Who Know ™ and people who don’t. I’m really excited to see it be successful, and knowing that I’ve met the folks who had a hand in it makes it that much better.
Good job (That stuff you do with NASA is kinda cool, too.)
Nice… I’ll have to go see this…
Weeeeeeeee! I’m going to be there August!
According to the information that Disney provided in the press kits during the preview last week, the “soft opening” of Mission: Space is scheduled for early August. That is when they will let the public guests at EPCOT go on the ride. The big formal opening, with the big public unveiling, etc, is scheduled for early October. Until then, there will be periodic “special preview” opportunities for park guests to get on the ride, if they just happen to be in the area at the right times (which will probably not be advertised in advance).
-dave
*Originally posted by dlavery *
**According to the information that Disney provided in the press kits during the preview last week, the “soft opening” of Mission: Space is scheduled for early August. That is when they will let the public guests at EPCOT go on the ride. The big formal opening, with the big public unveiling, etc, is scheduled for early October. Until then, there will be periodic “special preview” opportunities for park guests to get on the ride, if they just happen to be in the area at the right times (which will probably not be advertised in advance).-dave **
Yep.
Recently, the ride’s been opening at approximately 4 pm each evening to guests. Two centrifuges are operating while the other two are still being tested, presumably.
The officially “soft opening” was announced as August 13.
Actually it’s August 15th M.
Also guys, 17+ training missions at ISTC!
*Originally posted by JosephM *
**Actually it’s August 15th M.Also guys, 17+ training missions at ISTC! **
What did you think of it?
We’re going down on the 19th of August.
*Originally posted by JosephM *
**Actually it’s August 15th M.Also guys, 17+ training missions at ISTC! **
Actually, quoting the specific soft opening date is about as useful as trying to accurately predict the exact launch date of a Mars rover mission… It has already changed multiple times, and it will probably change again before it actually opens (anyone remember how many times the opening of Test Track was postponed?).
17+ times, huh? Wanna bet on who rode it first?
-dave
*Originally posted by dlavery *
**Actually, quoting the specific soft opening date is about as useful as trying to accurately predict the exact launch date of a Mars rover mission…17+ times, huh? Wanna bet on who rode it first?
-dave **
But it seems like Mission: Space’s ride system actually works, which is a bit more than can be said about Test Track. Test Track’s software seems like it’d be a bit more complex than what’s required by Mission: Space, however. But, that’s just speculative, 'cause I’m not really aware of what’s happening with the centrifuges and pods during the ride cycle.
*Originally posted by dlavery *
**anyone remember how many times the opening of Test Track was postponed? **
I remember when I went in 6th grade, it was scheduled to be open. I don’t think it opened for at least another year after that, maybe more.
*Originally posted by M. Krass *
**But it seems like Mission: Space’s ride system actually works, which is a bit more than can be said about Test Track. Test Track’s software seems like it’d be a bit more complex than what’s required by Mission: Space, however. But, that’s just speculative, 'cause I’m not really aware of what’s happening with the centrifuges and pods during the ride cycle. **
I haven’t seen the detail of the Test Track software system, so I can’t really comment on it beyond some educated guesses. But you might be surprised at the complexity of the Mission: Space set up. Without giving away all the details, I can say that the ride pods are doing a lot more that just spinning around in a circle!
-dave
*Originally posted by dlavery *
**I haven’t seen the detail of the Test Track software system, so I can’t really comment on it beyond some educated guesses. But you might be surprised at the complexity of the Mission: Space set up. Without giving away all the details, I can say that the ride pods are doing a lot more that just spinning around in a circle!-dave **
Most of Test Track’s problems stemmed from ‘block violations.’ That is, the computers had trouble maintaining the proper separation between the cars to ensure that ride could operate safely. This was a unique problem to Test Track because of the nature of the attraction. There are 27 cars cycling through, but at any given time, some of them are stopped and others are traveling at 65 mph and still others are doing something in between.
Mission: Space’s pods, on the other, need only spin around in a big giant circle or otherwise rotate on, to my knowledge, a single other axis. It may be two axes, though. It’s not easy, I’m sure, but it does seem less complex than Test Track.
ahh… fond memories of the Test Track… back in 2000… finally experienced it for the first time… as a result… a shut down in the ‘cold test’ room… hehe… I pittied the car that was ahead of us in the ‘heat test’ room 