United States Kennedy Space Center — Project 2028/Nova/Aero/NBT: Aero Test Lab? Indoor Coaster?!

[Jonesta6]

I don't recall too many of their rides - their Spike product seems awfully similar to a failed modular coaster design thing they did maybe a decade or two ago in the UK (forgot the ride system name). @Zachary is that why you think this will not be good?

 

[CoasterMac]

their Spike product seems awful

Correct!

It's just not a good ride system IMO. Clunky propulsion, horrific capacity, uncomfortable seating position, the inch-thick heavy seatbelt, but above all the ride itself was completely unexciting. I did one and I hope that's the only one I'll come across.

I'll give credit to the cruise ships installations, those seem pretty neat for what they are, but these just don't do anything for me.

 

[Zachary]

I don't recall too many of their rides - their Spike product seems awfully similar to a failed modular coaster design thing they did maybe a decade or two ago in the UK (forgot the ride system name). @Zachary is that why you think this will not be good?

I haven't ridden one of their Spike coasters like @CoasterMac has, but my experience with Maurer Rides broadly has been poor and my perception of the Spike model is that it's a really niche gimmick product that makes sense on things that move or constantly experience incredibly high winds, but I can't fathom why anyone else would build one. They seem boring, loud, and they have horrifically low capacity. Reliability seems like an issue too? Plus the ride system itself seems absurdly overcomplicated for the vast majority of installation conditions.

Just can't imagine how this is ever the right choice outside of hyper specific, niche conditions where a gravity-fed coaster isn't feasible... which indoors at the KSC certainly would not fall under.

I'm sure Maurer is motivated to sell these things and I'm sure their bid was low, but if this is a Spike coaster, I think KSC is making an enormous mistake and they'll regret this call for a long time into the future.

I honestly think buying a prototype S&S Steeplechase or a Skyline family coaster would have been better than a Maurer Spike coaster—both from an ownership experience standpoint for the KSC and from a rider experience point-of-view. Hard to get worse than a Spike coaster in my estimation...

 

[TheCoasterNerd]

The Spike is ONLY good as a cruise ship coaster where you really need a lightweight powered coaster vs a gravity coaster. Outside of the Spike, they sell a lot of Mice and spinning coasters. They also build the SkyLoops and of course the infamous x-car (RIP Rip Ride Rockit). Overall... very interesting choice. We'll see if it works out but definitely wouldn't have been my first choice of manufacturer for somewhere like KSC

 

[MaxxForceFan]

Trademark:

 

[Jonesta6]

They also build the SkyLoops and of course the infamous x-car (RIP Rip Ride Rockit). Overall... very interesting choice.

X-car, that's what I was thinking of: Drayton Manor's G Force (thanks to YouTube).

Yeah, unless Spike is a giant improvement it seems like it's just a repackage with extensions.

I hope it's at least themed to spaceflight.