POWERED HUMAN GYROSCOPE RIDES

Similarly developed by NASA in the 1960's for use in the training program of the Apollo and Gemini Astronauts, this gyroscope has enabled the astronauts to become comfortable with the simulated experience of weightlessness and the roll and tumble associated in outer space. Over the years a similar program was also introduced into many of the Airforces around the world, so that similar devices could train their own jet fighter pilots.

Because this is not a 'canned' ride: the riders can ride again repeating the experience with different intensity and roll and tumble. SPACEBALL 2000 has been rode by children as young as four and senior citizens in good health, as old as seventy. The motion of this ride is easy to understand, but something most people have never experienced. The ride is made up of a frame between which the outer ring is suspended. It's central axis revolves via bearings mounted on the legs. This outer ring will rotate either clockwise or counter-clockwise

With the outer ring suspended from front to back (the helm of the Spaceball 2000 is attached to one end of the shaft which suspends the outer ring to the frame), then another ring (inner ring) is attached so that its axis is from top to bottom of the outer ring. What you have now is two rings, one rotating inside the other with its center of axis perpendicular to that of the first, this inner ring has the seat attached to it. Once the ride is loaded, the rider now finds themselves rotating about the axis of the seat, then the outer ring is rotated, suddenly the rider is not only spinning head over heels, but also spinning around and around as well!!

NOTE: Riders do not experience motion sickness because of the changing direction of the spin, which keeps the inner ear balanced. It is the spinning fluid in the inner ear that causes dizziness, which in turn causes motion sickness.