Space Mountain Articles

Disneylands second tallest structure opened in Tomorrowland in 1977 at a cost of about 20 million dollars. This dollar figure made Space Mountain the most expensive attraction in the park at the time and the first to cost more than what the entire park had cost to build in 1955.For its money the Disney Company got a futuristic cone in gleaming white that reached a hundred and eighteen feet high and covered approximately three quarters of an acre. Space Mountains' crown of slender spires loom high above the southeastern border of the park and the exterior beams that slope up the mountains cone intensify the sense of majestic height.

The idea for a roller coaster attraction and called the Spaceport which closely resembles Space Mountain but also included track spiraling down the outside of the structure was drawn up by Disney Legend John Hench around 1964. The Spaceport would have been a dramatic new highlight for the mid-decade redesign of Tomorrowland, but the high priced attraction wasn't do-able at the time. Not with the Disney World project starting to eat up funds. In addition computer technology still needed to catch up with the Imagineers imaginations.

Construction of Disneyland Space Mountain began in 1975 in the area once used by the old flying saucers.Opening in May of 1977 to some of the longest lines in Disneyland's history Space Mountain propelled the park to an attendance milestone.1977 was the first year annual attendance eclipse the 10 million mark.Guests we're eager to see the second peak in the park mountain range.After waiting in a queue winding through long and narrow passageways over 1800 guests an hour can slip into sleek open cockpit rockets and hurdle for three minutes through 2/3 of a mile of unlit indoor track.The darkness makes the velocity seem much faster than the 30 miles per hour the rockets reach and the banked curves and dips seem more thrilling because their unseen and unanticipated

Air blasts from fans and the rushing sounds of the rockets themselves intensify the sense of speed. Enhancing the interstellar atmosphere are stary affects created by floor-mounted Disco balls.One early plan for the original Space Mountain had rockets orbiting the mountain on the outside, then "plunging into the blackness of space" inside. The original design was done by 1966, and got Walt's blessing, but there wasn't a control system available then that could operate it safely. By 1975, there was thanks in part to RCA sponsorship. This control system involves weighing each car and considering its rolling qualities on its previous trip which input is used to compensate for variations in passenger weight, wear, and even the different rolling qualities. Two PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) report to the computer, using electronic sensors to monitor the location and speed of each vehicle.

Specs Capacity 1800 per hour -- Capacity per rocket 8 --Flight Time 3:00 -- Distance TRaveled 3520 feet -- Speed 30 MPH

One early plan for the original Space Mountain had rockets orbiting the mountain on the outside, then "plunging into the blackness of space" inside. The original design was done by 1966, and got Walt's blessing, but there wasn't a control system available then that could operate it safely. By 1975, there was -- thanks in part to RCA sponsorship. This control system involves weighing each car, and considering its rolling qualities on its previous trip; which input is used to compensate for variations in passenger weight, wear, and even the different rolling qualities of the nylon wheels as they warm up over the day. Given these inputs, Space Mountain can dispatch rockets more frequently without concern for collisions -- up to eleven rockets.

The computer cannot slow rockets down inside the mountain. The only way to prevent one rocket from catching a lighter one in front of it, is to delay the rocket from entering into the mountain as much as possible. If the delta for the weight is greater than 600lbs. the computer will delay the rocket for 4 seconds. But if the weight is greater than 800lbs. the "tower" cast member must delay the rocket longer, as much as possible. If one rocket does catch up to another, this causes a "brake zone intrusion" and a ride cascade stop occurs.
Two PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers) report to the computer, using electronic sensors to monitor the location and speed of each vehicle.

Some info supplied by: Kory Blankenship Garden Grove, CA

Statistics:
Roller coasters almost never travel at the exact same speed. They tend to speed up as the day goes on and the parts warm up. Also, the weight of the passengers affects the speed dramatically. Space Mountain features a soundtrack in each individual train that is able to locate its position on the track. This keeps the music in sync with the ride despite the trains speed.

Construction started: June 1975
Construction ended: May 1977
Opening Ceremony: May 27, 1977
Building Diameter: 200 ft.
Height: 75 ft (excluding external spires) 117 ft (ground level to top spire) 17 ft below grade
Length of track: Approx. 3,450 linear feet, including ride track, storage track and spur track
Length of ride: 3,035 ft. or .57 mile
Number of vehicles: 13 rockets, 2 vehicles per rocket
Vehicle capacity: 12 passengers
Average speed: 11.21 mph
Maximum speed: 30.2 mph

These US Mercury Astronauts people were in attendance on May 27,1977:
Scott Carpenter
Wally Schirra
U.S. Senator John Glenn
Betty Grissom, widow of Virgil Grissom
Gordon cooper
Alan Shepard
Donald Slayton

Voices:
Wendy Beryllium - Kelly Caufield
Ray Cathode - Glenn Shadix
Crazy Larry - Charles Fleischer



The soundtrack, "Aquarium" from Saint-Saens' "Carnival Des Animaux," is played by 1960s surf guitar legend Dick Dale.

From Steve Birnbaum brings you the best of Disneyland 1982:
Without a doubt one of the best attractions in the park and certainly one of the most popular, Space Mountain must also rank among the best roller coasters in existence. its greatness derives not so much from the fact that it will leave your stomach behind as from the fact that most of the trip takes you shooting through pitch blackness with stars whizzing by on all sides. It's an experience so splendid and magical that it can be enjoyed many times without any disappointment. It's not a rocket journey, really: The twelve- passenger "rockets" are similar to those boarded by many a roller-coaster buff, with two-abreast seating, and the ride's route is traveled at the relatively moderate speed of about 32 miles per hour. But between the stars and the Cosmic Vapor Curtain and the Solar Energizer and the glowing nebula, the attraction boasts such beauty that it's not hard to understand why Southern Californians queued up for as long as two hours to experience it when it first opened. (Though the situation isn't nearly so bad nowadays, it still behooves a queue hater to make a beeline for the mountain immediately upon arriving in the park.) Such a marvel doesn't develop overnight, Walt Disney had the idea for the attraction early in the park's history-long before the technology to operate it had been developed. The original sketch for the many-spired white cono, not all that different from the present structure, was drawn in 1964 by John Hench (whose name appears on the Main Street window above Carefree Corner). Subsequently, workers representing around 150 different crafts and specialties put almost a million man- hours into the design and construction of this bit of man-made mountain magic. It took nearly two years to construct, and the whole thing is sunk 15 feet into the ground-so as not to dwarf Sleeping Beauty Castle or the Matterhorn. Pregnant women, children who are under three or less than 40 inches tall, and other guests who suffer from weak backs, heart conditions, motion sickness, and other physical limitations are not permitted to ride. Children under seven must be accompanied by an adult. Those who don't normally enjoy roller coasters should be sure to ride the PeopleMover, which offers a look at the scenic wonders inside the mountain. Those who decide they might want a still closer look should line up with the brave at the base of the Speedramp. Note that if you get cold feet once inside the mountain, there are three "chicken exits" in the queue area en route to the loading dock-one just past the en- trance to the building, another farther along by the turnstiles, and the last right at the loading area. Parents can wait with their youngsters until this final exit and rendezvous at the exit after the ride is over.

In April 2003 a major refurbishment of Space Mountain was started..Space Mountain will be redesigned and relaunched in conjunction with the Disneyland 50th Anniversary in 2005.

Space Mountain reopened in July 2005

After 2003-2005 refurbishment the on board music was composed by Michael Giacchino

Rockin' Space Mountain during the promotion's run, with Red Hot Chili Peppers 1989 cover of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" accompanying riders as they soar through the ride's virtual outer space setting.

Intercom: All personnel, clear the launch platform. All personnel, clear launch platform.


Space Venture: Launch Control, this is Space Venture. Radio is on.
Launch Control: Roger. L-V stand by.


L-V: Launch Control, L-V.
Launch Control: Go ahead.
L-V: All video recorders off.
Launch Control: Roger. S-B-O, turn off your video recorders and focus O-S-B camera to monitor spacecraft umbilical.
S-B-O: Roger.
Launch Control: O-S-B, do you read?
O-S-B: Roger.


Intercom: Command receiver checks are complete. You can print out your initial conditions.
Flight Safety: L-V, Flight Safety.
L-V:Go ahead.
Flight Safety: Verify number one.
L-V:S-P-F, this is L-V.
Space Port Flight:Go L-V.
L-V:Turn on your port recorder for spacecraft function.
Space Port Flight:Roger. Recorders are on.


Launch Director:P-C-S, L-D.
P-C-S:Go L-D.
Launch Director:P-C-S, you have a go on C-band.
P-C-S:Roger.


Launch Director:S-S-L, this is L-D.
S-S-L:Go Ahead.
Launch Director:You are go for Earth side launch.
S-S-L:Roger. All personnel, switch to channel number two for status check.


Port Communications:Port communications status is go.
Global Network:Global network status is go.
S-S-L:Instrumentation?
Instrumentation:Instrumentation, go.
S-S-L:Propulsion?
Propulsion:Go.
S-S-L:Facility?
Facility:Go.
S-S-L:Electrical?
Electrical:Go.
S-S-L:Life Safety?
Life Safety:Go.
S-S-L:S-B-O?
S-B-O:Go.


Launch Director:M-C, this is L-D.
Mission Control:Go Ahead.
Launch Director:We're going to need another computation on the space shuttle plot.
Mission Control:Roger.
Launch Director:Once I receive a go from you on that, I will initiate a hold.


Mission Control:This is M-C. Manual hold initiated at minus five minutes.
Launch Director:Roger.


Launch Director:This is L-D. We will hold at minus five minutes waiting for the latest computation from Space Shuttle Launch.


Launch Director:Propulsion, this is L-D on two.
Propulsion:Go ahead.
Launch Director:How do your tank pressures look?
Propulsion:Very good. We are go.


Launch Control:Space Port Flight, you may proceed with the launch.
Space Port Flight:Roger.
Space Port Flight:Launch Control, this is Space Port Flight. Ask Space Venture to prepare to copy.
Launch Control:Space Venture, are you prepared to copy?
Space Venture:Launch Control, this is Space Venture. Go ahead.
Launch Control:Address four zero two six nine seven.
Space Venture:Address four one three five seven six. Flight, this is Space Venture. The computer is ready.


S-P-L.:S-S-L, S-P-L.
S-S-L:Go Ahead.
S-P-L.:Do you have a clear to launch Space Shuttles?
S-S-L:Roger.


Instrumentation:S-S-L, this is instrumentation.
S-S-L:Go Ahead.
Instrumentation:Verify item four.
S-S-L:Roger. S-P-O, start port recorders and TV video tape recorders.
Instrumentation:Willco.


Instrumentation:L-V, Instrumentation.
L-V:Go Ahead.
Instrumentation:Start to calibrate instrumentation recorder.
L-V:Roger.


L-V:Launch Control, this is L-V.
Launch Control:Go Ahead.
L-V:Ready to pick up at this time?
Launch Control:Roger, proceed.
L-V:Pick it up at my mark, L-C.
Launch Control:Roger.
L-V:Three, two, one, mark.


Launch Control:This is Launch Control at T-minus six minutes and counting.


Launch Control:T-minus five minutes.


Launch Control:Minus four fifty.


Launch Control:Minus four forty.


Launch Control:Minus four thirty.


Mission Control:Launch Director, this is Mission Control.
Launch Director:Go Ahead.
Mission Control:We will initiate a hold on Space Venture launch at T-minus three minutes.
Launch Director: Resume countdown after space shuttles have departed Earth Space Transfer
Mission Control: Dock.
Launch Director:Roger Mission Control.


Launch Director:S-S-L, L-D.
S-S-L:Go ahead.
Launch Director:S-S-L, you may proceed with the space shuttle launch.
S-S-L:Roger. Space Port Flight verify item five under two minutes.
Launch Director:Affirmative.
Space Port Flight:Space shuttles are go on internal.
S-S-L:Roger. All systems are internal.
Launch Director:Roger. S-S-L, you have a clear to launch.