Space World

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This article is about a Japanese theme park. For information on the video game trade show, see SpaceWorld.

Space World (スペースワールド, Supēsu Wārudo^?) is a theme park in Yahata Higashi ward, Kitakyushu, Japan created in 1990 by Nippon Steel when the company was downsizing its steel plant in the ward. It is currently operated by Space World Inc., a subsidiary of Kamori Kankō.

This theme park offers a wide variety of enjoyable attractions for the whole family, a number of events held daily, and Space Camp, Japan’s first authentic educational space experience facility.

Space Camp was created under a licensing agreement with the U.S. Space Camp Foundation, and provides a full curriculum, including special training using the same apparatus as NASA astronauts. The participants stay in the camp, and are given instruction by an expert staff. A variety of courses are available, catering to different age groups and length of course.

[edit] History

April 22, 1990: Space World opens on part of the grounds of the Yawata iron mill.

1992: The popular attraction "Star Shaker" opens.

1993: First water attraction "Planetary Aqua" appears. The total course length runs 500 meters and is the longest in Japan.

1994: The coaster, "Meteor Liner Titan" (also known as "Titan") is opened. At that time, it was world's largest inclined angle coaster.

1996: The coaster, "Venus" is opens.

1998: Coming-of-age ceremony of Kitakyushu city is held. In the same year an accident on "Atlas Tower" occurs, badly injuring a visitor. The park closes for 6 months.

1999: Treasure Star (Twin Mercury) is opened at a cost of 5 billion Yen (approximately $40 million).

2001: 4D theater attraction “BIOHAZARD 4D-EXECUTER” open.

2004: Amusement area “Kids QUEST” opens.

2005 April 22: 15th anniversary. The attraction, "Alien Panic" opens the same year.

2006 Character amusement area “Lucky Town” is opened.

[edit] Trivia

The 1:1 scale mock Space Shuttle outside the engineering company which built it, which was never paid for.

Space World has the only scale-one mock-up of an erected US Space Shuttle stack (complete with External tanks and SRB). The visitor center of MSFC in Huntsville has a stack as well, but not in an upright position. The mock-up of Space Shuttle Endeavour was actually built by the Carrington Engineering company in Necastle, Australia. However it was never paid for, and the Engineering company was bankrupted by the costs attempting to recover the money owed.