jonrev's video: Space Shuttle America

Space Shuttle America was a motion simulator ride at Six Flags Great America which operated from 1994-2007. Set in a future where NASA Space Shuttles ferry passengers to the Moon base, Armstrong City; you're diverted to investigate and destroy an asteroid on an impact course for Earth. The film was produced by special effects house, Dream Quest Images, who would later go on to work on the 1998 film, "Armageddon" following similar plot lines. The bench seating gave a pretty lame ride experience for motion sim standards - even for 1994 - but where Space Shuttle America really shined and warrants nostalgia was its production value and incredible attention to theming detail. Yes, this ride featured a 1:1 scale Space Shuttle orbiter parked outside, and while it was never actually capable of flight it's alleged that it was covered in real thermal tiles. I shot this during the 2006 season with a trash-quality Nikon point and shoot, and threw this together as a tribute following the demise of the ride. This was one of the first amusement rides I can remember, back in 1997 on my first visit to Six Flags, and it it remained a favorite to the end. The building and Shuttle replica were eventually demolished to make way for Hurricane Harbor waterpark expansion.