Battlestar Galactica (roller coaster)

Last updated

Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica Human vs Cylon - nested tracks.jpg
An overview of the nested tracks of Battlestar Galactica: Human vs. Cylon.
Universal Studios Singapore
Park section Sci-Fi City
Coordinates 1°15′14.92″N103°49′20.27″E / 1.2541444°N 103.8222972°E / 1.2541444; 103.8222972
Status Operating
Opening date 18 March 2010 (2010-03-18)
General Statistics
Type – Dueling  – Launched
Manufacturer Vekoma
Model Custom
Lift/launch system LSM
 Cylon (Inverted)Human (Sit-down)
Height 140 ft (42.7 m) 140 ft (42.7 m)
Speed 51.0 mph (82.1 km/h) 56 mph (90.1 km/h)
Inversions 5 0
Height restriction 49.2 in (125 cm)
Trains 8 cars. Riders are arranged 2 across in a single row for a total of 16 riders per train.
Theme Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica at RCDB
Pictures of Battlestar Galactica at RCDB

Battlestar Galactica: Human vs. Cylon is a pair of steel, dueling roller coasters at Universal Studios Singapore. One of the coasters is an inverted roller coaster track in blue (gray from 2017 onwards), and the other half is a traditional seated roller coaster in red. The coasters, which opened in 2010 and was inactive between 2013 and 2015, reach 42.5 metres (139 ft) in height and are the tallest dueling coasters in the world.

Contents

Universal Studios Singapore is the only Universal Studios amusement park to have a Battlestar Galactica roller coaster. It was the first Vekoma coaster, after the Flying Dutchman, to feature four-abreast seating that is similar to coasters by Bolliger & Mabillard.

Coasters

The roller coaster trains are launched from the start of their lift hill (used to be launched from the station) at high speed instead of the traditional chain lift. Linear Synchronous Motors (LSM) are used for high-acceleration speed during launching. Similar to the now-defunct Dragon Challenge at Universal's Islands of Adventure, these coasters feature several near collisions mere inches apart. Part of the ride took place over the park's central lagoon. The coasters are the tallest dueling coaster in the world at 42.5 metres (139 ft). [1]

Battlestar Galactica: Cylon

One of the suspended trains on the Cylon side of Battlestar Galactica Battlestar Galactica Cylon 1.jpg
One of the suspended trains on the Cylon side of Battlestar Galactica

The Cylon coaster is a coaster designed like the Cylon Raider suspended from the track with legs free that performs intense manoeuvres that includes five inversions, a cobra roll, a corkscrew, a vertical loop and a zero-g roll. The Cylon coaster also plunges into a 5-metre (16 ft) deep pit filled with artificial fog to give thrill seekers the sensation of a near miss with the ground. It also includes sudden turns close to buildings emphasising the sensation of a near miss. Before the ride starts, a short monologue spoken by a robotic voice states “This has all happened before. This will all happen again.”

Ride Description

The ride is a suspended coaster capable of reaching speeds up to 51.0 mph (82.1 km/h) and has 5 inverted parts.

Battlestar Galactica: Human

One of the old sit down trains on the Human side of Battlestar Galactica Battlestar Galactica Human 1.jpg
One of the old sit down trains on the Human side of Battlestar Galactica

Pre-show

The queue for the Human ride firstly is a narrow walkway. The riders enter the ride building where Galactica Actual and Cag Starbuck explain the mission. Then the riders are loaded into the trains. Upon departure, the riders hear the dialogue, "Happy Hunting. So say we all."

Ride Description

The Human coaster is designed like the Colonial Mark II Viper for riders who want a roller coaster experience without inversions. According to Universal Studios Singapore engineers, riders on the Human track experience more G-forces than those on the Cylon track. [2] At certain points in the ride, the coaster reaches speed of up to 90 kilometres per hour (56 mph).

History

The ride's exit and store Battlestar Galactica Universal Studios Singapore entrance.jpg
The ride's exit and store

On 18 March 2010, Battlestar Galactica: Human vs. Cylon was one of the 16 attractions that opened during Universal Studios Singapore's soft opening. A week after its opening, Universal Studios Singapore identified a problem in a ride vehicle during routine testing. The ride closed for repair on 25 March 2010. [3] [4] [5] Both rides remained closed for about 11 months thereafter. [6]

In August 2010, Resorts World Sentosa publicly addressed the reason for closure of the ride, stating that the problem lies with the design of the ride vehicles and not the track layout. [7] Higher than anticipated stress and vibration levels caused fatigue cracks to develop in the seat-post supports of the "Human" coaster car. [8] The redesigned component was to eliminate the weld entirely and was also to be installed with additional strength-reinforcement parts. Extensive ride testing cycles and inspections were conducted, as the ride needed to be re-certified before it reopened to the public. [9] In early February 2011, Universal Studios Singapore announced the rides would re-open on 21 February 2011. [10]

On 21 December 2010, Battlestar Galactica: Human vs. Cylon entered the final testing stage with newly reinforced cars for both the "Human" and "Cylon" coasters. [11] On 4 February 2011, the ride was opened unofficially for "technical rehearsals", [12] [13] with the ride officially reopening as planned on 21 February 2011. [10] [14] [15] [16]

On 21 July 2013, the ride was closed again for review. [17] More than a year passed before Resorts World Sentosa announced, in November 2014, that Battlestar Galactica: Human vs Cylon would reopen in early 2015 with new trains. [18] On 25 May 2015, Universal Studios Singapore announced that the ride will return with all-new ride vehicles on 27 May 2015. [19] The ride was officially reopened as planned two days later, with the ride vehicles being changed from four-abreast seating to two-abreast seating. [20] On 6 April 2016 riders were stuck for about an hour when a technical error occurred on the ride. [21]

See also

Related Research Articles

Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction media franchise created by Glen A. Larson. It began with the original television series in 1978, and was followed by a short-run sequel series, Galactica 1980, a line of book adaptations, original novels, comic books, a board game, and video games. A reimagined version aired as a two-part, three-hour miniseries developed by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick in 2003, followed by a 2004 television series, which aired until 2009. A prequel series, Caprica, aired in 2010.

Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction franchise. It may also refer to the following aspects of the franchise:

<i>Battlestar Galactica</i> (1978 TV series) American science fiction television series of the 1970s

Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction television series created by Glen A. Larson that aired on the ABC network from September 17, 1978, to April 29, 1979. It stars an ensemble cast led by Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch, and Dirk Benedict. The series follows a group of humans fleeing the destruction of their homeworlds aboard the titular spacecraft, searching for a new home while being pursued by the Cylons, a fearsome society of robots intent on exterminating all humans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Incredible Hulk Coaster</span> Roller coaster at Islands of Adventure

The Incredible Hulk Coaster is a launched roller coaster located at Universal Islands of Adventure theme park within the Universal Orlando Resort. Designed by Werner Stengel and manufactured by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), the roller coaster is themed after the Hulk comic book superhero and opened to the public on May 28, 1999. It is the first B&M coaster themed to a Marvel Comics superhero character and the first to feature a launch design, which was primarily implemented by Universal Creative and MTS Systems Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saga of a Star World</span> 1st and 3rd episodes of the 1st season of Battlestar Galactica

"Saga of a Star World" is the pilot for the American science fiction television series Battlestar Galactica which was produced in 1978 by Glen A. Larson. A re-edit of the episode was released theatrically as Battlestar Galactica in Canada before the television series aired in the United States, in order to help recoup its high production costs. Later, the standalone film edit was also released in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Studios Singapore</span> Universal Studios theme park in Singapore

Universal Studios Singapore is a theme park located within the Resorts World Sentosa integrated resort at Sentosa in Singapore. It features 28 rides, shows, and attractions in seven themed zones. It is one of the five Universal Studios theme parks around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Resorts World Sentosa</span> Integrated resort on Sentosa Island, Sentosa

Resorts World Sentosa is an integrated resort on the island of Sentosa, which is located off the southern coast of Singapore. The key attractions within RWS include one of Singapore's two casinos, Universal Studios Singapore theme park the Adventure Cove Waterpark, as well as the S.E.A. Aquarium, which is the world's second largest oceanarium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Creative</span> Engineering, architecture and design division of Universal Parks & Resorts

Universal Creative is the division of Universal Destinations & Experiences responsible for designing, developing, engineering and producing themed attractions, rides, and resorts. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida the company operates at Universal Parks & Resorts locations around the world in the United States, Singapore, Japan and China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit</span> Steel roller coaster

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is a steel roller coaster at Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, Florida. With a height of 167 feet (51 m), a length of 3,800 feet (1,200 m), and a top speed of 65 miles per hour (105 km/h), it is the largest X-Coaster ever built by German manufacturer Maurer Söhne. Announced on March 19, 2008, the coaster officially debuted on August 19, 2009, despite original plans to open several months earlier in the spring. Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit features on-ride music LED lighting, and on-ride photos and videos captured from cameras mounted in each passenger row.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transformers: The Ride 3D</span> Ride at Universal Studios parks

Transformers: The Ride 3D is a 3D dark ride located at Universal Studios Singapore, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Beijing. The ride, based on the Transformers film franchise, was designed by Universal Creative, Oceaneering International, and Industrial Light & Magic. Each installation is reported to have cost US$100 million. Universal Studios Singapore was the first to open the ride.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flight of the Hippogriff</span> Junior roller coaster at Universal parks

Flight of the Hippogriff is a junior roller coaster at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter section of the many Universal theme parks. It is present at Universal Islands of Adventure in Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Studios Beijing. Designed by Universal Creative, the first installation opened at Islands of Adventure on June 18, 2010. The new ride was a redesign of an existing roller coaster known as Flying Unicorn, which the park closed in 2008 to begin its transformation. The design change was implemented to fit the new Harry Potter-themed area that was being constructed at the park. Flight of the Hippogriff is a mild alternative to the area's more extreme rides such as Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Following a successful launch, identical versions of the roller coaster were installed at Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Hollywood over the next several years, with the Beijing version opening with the park in 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure</span> River rapids ride

Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure is a river rapids ride in The Lost World zone at Universal Studios Singapore in Resorts World Sentosa, Sentosa Island, Singapore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase</span> Dark ride at Universal Studios Singapore

Sesame Street Spaghetti Space Chase is a dark ride in the New York section of Universal Studios Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa. It officially opened on 1 March 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Madagascar: A Crate Adventure</span> Former water ride at Universal Studios Singapore

Madagascar: A Crate Adventure was a water ride located in the Madagascar zone of Universal Studios Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa. The attraction is based on Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation's 2005 animated film Madagascar and its franchise.

Since the early 2000s, DreamWorks Animation, an American animation studio, owned by NBCUniversal, has had an involvement in the creation and theming of amusement park rides and attractions. This article details the ventures of DreamWorks Animation in amusement parks.

This is a list of events and openings related to amusement parks that occurred in 2011. These various lists are not exhaustive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Revenge of the Mummy</span> Roller coasters at Universal parks

Revenge of the Mummy, officially named Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride, is an enclosed roller coaster located at Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Studios Singapore. It is themed to The Mummy film franchise, and the ride features linear induction motors (LIMs) that launch riders to a maximum speed of 40 mph (64 km/h) in a matter of seconds. The Florida and Singapore locations have the same track layout, although each location offers a slightly different virtual experience. Manufactured by Premier Rides, the attractions feature track switches installed by Dynamic Structures. Universal Creative and ITEC Entertainment Corporation created the theme at each location, with Adirondack Studios responsible for several of the unique elements implemented at the Singapore location.

This is a list of events and openings related to amusement parks that occurred in 2015. These various lists are not exhaustive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dragon Challenge</span> Defunct inverted roller coaster at Universals Islands of Adventure

Dragon Challenge, formerly named Dueling Dragons (1999–2010), was a pair of intertwined inverted roller coasters in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter area of Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida, United States. Designed by Bolliger & Mabillard of Switzerland, the ride was a dueling roller coaster featuring two tracks – one side was called Chinese Fireball and the other Hungarian Horntail – that were themed as two chasing dragons. Its layout involved two trains sharing adjacent lift hills, with each traversing unique courses. Trains on the Chinese Fireball track reached a maximum speed of 60 mph (97 km/h), while trains on the Hungarian Horntail reached 55 mph (89 km/h). Both tracks featured five inversions and an identical ride duration of 2 minutes and 25 seconds.

References

  1. ↑ "Unveiling the Best of Universal Studios at Universal Studios Singapore". BlogSpot. 20 October 2009. Retrieved 21 September 2010.
  2. ↑ Loh, Larry (30 November 2009). "Man or machine? The Battlestar Galactica ride at Universal Studios Singapore" . Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  3. ↑ Resorts World at Sentosa: STATEMENT – BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, 25 March 2010. Retrieved 13.06.10 from Facebook.
  4. ↑ "Battlestar Galactica closes due to technical glitch". Channel NewsAsia. 25 March 2010. Archived from the original on 13 April 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  5. ↑ "Battlestar Galactica shuts down". The Straits Times. 26 March 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  6. ↑ "Battlestar Galactica may be closed for weeks". Channel NewsAsia. 15 April 2010. Archived from the original on 14 January 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  7. ↑ "Roller coaster cars 'flawed'". The Straits Times. 5 August 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  8. ↑ "Cracks found in welded seat-post support of Battlestar Galactica's Human coaster cars". Channel NewsAsia. 20 August 2010. Archived from the original on 24 October 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  9. ↑ Resorts World Sentosa Blogs (20 August 2010). "Preliminary Findings on Battlestar Galactica Roller Coaster". BlogSpot. Archived from the original on 23 August 2010. Retrieved 20 August 2010.
  10. 1 2 Universal Studios Singapore. "Resorts World Sentosa – Sci-Fi City". Resorts World Sentosa. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 2 February 2011.
  11. ↑ "Battlestar Galactica enters final testing stage". Channel NewsAsia. 21 December 2010. Archived from the original on 24 December 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  12. ↑ Bigbearsg (4 February 2011). "A Look at the Reopening of Battlestar Dueling Coaster Universal Studios Singapore". Video. Archived from the original on 20 December 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2011– via YouTube.
  13. ↑ "Oh FEB, you come too soon". BlogSpot. 6 February 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  14. ↑ Ling, Ng Kai (2 February 2011). "Battlestar Galactica ride to reopen on Feb 21". The Straits Times. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  15. ↑ Saad, Imelda (2 February 2011). "Battlestar Galactica roller coaster to reopen on Feb 21". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 5 February 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  16. ↑ "Battlestar Galactica to reopen later this month". Asia One. 2 February 2011. Archived from the original on 5 February 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  17. ↑ "Battlestar Galactica ride at Universal Studios Singapore closed". Channel NewsAsia. 9 August 2013. Archived from the original on 14 August 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  18. ↑ Resorts World Sentosa. "Battlestar Galactica: Human vs. Cylon at Universal Studios Singapore Will Re-Open With All-New Ride Vehicles" (PDF). Resorts World Sentosa. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 May 2015. Retrieved 11 May 2015.
  19. ↑ "Battlestar Galactica: HUMAN vs. CYLON takes to the skies again at Universal Studios Singapore". Resorts World Sentosa. 25 May 2015. Archived from the original on 28 May 2015. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
  20. ↑ "Battlestar Galactica Reopens This Week at Universal Studios Singapore". 25 May 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  21. ↑ "Visitors stuck on Battlestar Galactica ride in Universal Studios Singapore". TODAYonline. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.