Galactica: Alton Towers opens new virtual reality rollercoaster

The Staffordshire-based theme park opens the new ride on 24 March

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Cerys Kenneally24 March 2016

Galactica will become the latest addition to Alton Towers' array of rides when it opens at the adventure park on March 24, combining the adrenaline-fuelled feeling of being on a rollercoaster with the visual and emotive experience of travelling through space.

The three-minute ride will take passengers through multiple galaxies, and while lying face-down, passengers will experience a maximum g-force of 3.5gs.

The ride has been in planning for the past two years, and was pushed forward following British Astronaut Tim Peake embarking on his space trip.

Gill Riley, marketing director of Alton Towers, said: “Tim Peake captured the imagination of millions of Brits last year when he set off on his mission to the International Space Station – and now our visitors can become astronauts too.”

She added: “Galactica uses ground breaking technology to give riders a breathtaking and completely unique rollercoaster experience."

The new arrival sees Alton Towers moving forward following the crash of one of its rollercoasters in June 2015, which seriously injured five people and the company will be hoping it leads to a boost in visitor figures, which are significantly down since the accident.

Visit altontowers.com for more details

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