Galactica

Galactica
Park	Alton Towers
Park section	Forbidden Valley
Opening date	March 16, 2002
Closing date	Unknown
Height	66ft
Drop	Unknown
Speed	47mph
Replaced	Unknown
Replaced by	Unknown

Galactica is a steel flying coaster at Alton Towers in Staffordshire, England. Located in the park's Forbidden Valley section, Air is often regarded to be the world's first successful flying coaster.

Ride history

Conceptualization

Flying coasters were first conceptualized in 1994, but due to the technological limits, it was shelved. Shortly after, the coaster-manufacturing company, Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) began designing their own flying coaster.

Construction and announcement

In mid-2001, Alton Towers began construction of B&M's prototype flying coaster. Later in the year, the park announced the attraction, but it was described as an unnamed "Aerial Inversion Ride", slated to open in March 2002. Alton Towers later revealed that the attraction's name would be Air.

SW5

Much like other projects like Oblivion and The Smiler, Air was marketed by Alton Towers using a "Secret Weapon" codename. Air was marketed as Secret Weapon 5, or SW5.

Testing and opening

In early 2002, Air began testing using special crash dummies. Air officially opened on March 16, 2002.

Cadbury Heroes sponsorship

In 2002, the park entered a five-year agreement with Cadbury Heroes to become Air's sponsor. The marketing campaign cost 4.5 million pounds, and consisted of commercials with the slogan "Assume the position."

2015 refurbishment

In July 2015, rumors sparked that Alton Towers began submitting permits to enhance the ride's experience with a new photo kiosk, a photo opportunity in the queue, pre-show areas, walls encircling the attraction's station, and two new theming elements. In October 2015, Alton Towers began promoting the refurbishment with catchphrases: "Prepare for a new flight" and "watch this space" were among them. In early November, the adjacent Air Shop closed and on-ride photos were discontinued. The attraction was renamed to Galactica on January 12, 2016.

Ride synopsis

After the passengers are loaded, the train enters its flying position and departs from the station. The train goes up a lift hill and makes a 180-degree turn before entering a large drop. The train then enters a fly-to-lie, when riders are on their backs. The train then enters a large left turn before another twist, returning the train to its normal position, called a lie-to-fly (opposite a fly-to-lie). The train then passes under a small ravine before entering into a tight turn. Next, the train enters a 360-degree inline twist by a series of straight sections of track and some small dips in the track, followed by the final brake run.

Trivia

Records

• Galactica is often claimed as the world's first flying coaster, and the world's first successful flying coaster.
• At the time of its opening, Galactica tied with Oblivion as Alton Towers' most costly project, at 12 million pounds.

Statistics

• Galactica's track is approximately 2,760 feet long, and the ride reaches speeds of up to 47mph.
• The ride hosts two inversions, and one cycle lasts about 1 minute, 40 seconds.
• Guests can use Fastrack for the attraction, as well as Single Rider.
• Due to the attraction's dual-platform loading station, the ride can accompany up to 1,500 guests an hour.
• Galactica is claimed by the park's former owner, The Tussauds Group, to be one of the main causes of the park's success in the 2002 and 2003 operating seasons.
• Galactica is not marketed as a thrill ride, but a flight simulator.

Awards

Golden Ticket Awards

Year	2003	2004	2005	2006
Ranking	24	34	36	49

Mitch Hawker's Best Roller Coaster Poll

Year	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2012	2013
Ranking	36	64	61	54	75	94	107	96	106	130	136