EXPLORE LAGOON: RIDES: The Rocket

Opened: 14 April 1999

Location: North Midway

Manufactured By: S&S Power

Model Name: Space Shot / Turbo Drop

Cost: $3 million

Max Speed: 68.2 mph, 4.5 G's

Max Height: 185 feet

Structure Height: 196 feet (217 feet to the beacon)

Ride Capacity: 12 riders per launch

Hourly Capacity: 600 riders per hour

Height Requirement: 50" minimum

history & info

The Rocket has two different ride experiences. Blast Off shoots you up to the top and then you bounce a few times before you reach the bottom. Re-Entry carries you up to the top slowly (in about 20-25 seconds) and lets you enjoy the view - for a little while. In a matter of seconds you're suddenly pulled down faster than if you had been free-falling.

Before The Rocket was installed, the Flying Aces ride was located in this spot. It was moved to a nearby spot just southeast of here. When The Rocket opened in April 1999 a former NASA astronaut, Utah Senator Jake Garn, was on hand for the ceremonies. The third tower was originally planned to be a Double Shot ride, which is like Blast Off with two launches. At the time, no Double Shot in the world was higher than 100 feet. Lagoon's would have become the tallest tower with this feature. Plans were delayed and changed and now it seems that the third tower will remain unused.

S&S Power was started by Stan Checketts in Logan, Utah. In 2002, S&S Power acquired Arrow Dynamics from Clearfield, Utah and the name was changed to S&S Arrow.

photos

Photo: Brian Reichow

The Rocket as seen from the Sky Ride.

Photo: Rick

The Rocket as seen from the Sky Scraper.

Photo: Rick

Photo: Brian Reichow

The back of the control booth.

SOURCES

Lagoon

Deseret News

Website Visitors

Updated 17 Jan 2008