UK theme park takes you to space on a VR-enhanced roller coaster

The vomit comet has some competition.

"Galactica" is a new take on roller coasters from Alton Towers, the UK equivalent of Six Flags. It combines the 3.5 G thrills of an actual roller coaster with the artificially-induced sensations of virtual reality in an attempt to show riders what it's like to soar through outer space.

In other words: This is next-gen Space Mountain.

The ride, which is a newly repurposed version of Alton Towers' "Air" roller coaster, seats VR headset-wearing riders in a face-down position. The twists and turns of the 2,760-foot track are synchronized with a virtual reality video experience that simulates the act of flying through space. Read more...