GET IN - SIT DOWN - SHUT UP & HANG ON!
Developed and manufactured in Austria in 1996, the Bungee rocket uses kinetic energy (via a spring-box or elastic bungy cord) to catapult 2 human bodies 60 metres into the sky.
The ride consists of a 2-person capsule anchored to the ground, suspended between two lengths of bungy chord. The cords are armed with up to 40 tonnes of kinetic energy along the two 50+ metre supports on either side of the capsule (acheived either via elasticity or steel cables attached to a spring system)
The capsule tilts back, and the riders find themselves in a reclined position, nervously gazing up into the sky, awaiting launch.
The spectators join in as the operators count backwards 10…9…8…7…LAUNCH! The capsule and its two human occupants rocket into the sky, reaching a height of 57 metres (15 metres higher than the supports) in around 2 seconds, exposing riders to 5 - 6 G’s as they reach a speed of over 150 kilometres per hour. Weightlessness begins, as the launch vehicle reaches the apex of its trajectory …then ‘GROUND RUSH’ as the sphere races towards earth. Once again, the bungy cords fight gravity -bouncing the capsule back into the air as the capsule tumbles freely - flipping the riders upside down as they plummet towards the earth or sky.
After take off - the worst is over (or best … depending how much you love G-forces), as the capsule completes its 10 bounce cycle, before coming to a gentle stop 15 metres above the ground. The bungy cord is then lowered, and the capsule locked in place.
Most Bungy Rockets will have a video camera and microphone mounted inside the capsule to show on-lookers the rider’s G-force distorted faces and fearful expressions, with an option to buy a sourvenier video.
A recent newcomer to Australia is a travelling ‘Sling Shot’ imported from Austria, standing at an impressive 65 metres, fitting onto a single trailer. Instead of relying on elastic bungee ropes, this ride uses a ’springbox’ system (pictured below) - storing up to 40 tonnes of kinnetic energy.
