Built by YouTuber Half-Asleep Chris and his friend Dan, the ‘Stratosphere’ is a functional space-themed LEGO roller coaster complete with two belt-powered lift hills and three train cars with minifigs. It was recently launched to a height of 31km (19 miles) into the stratosphere with the help of Sent Into Space. Did it set the official world record for the highest roller coaster? Well if it didn’t, it certainly should have.
After a functional prototype was built, the space-bound version was constructed using the heaviest-duty LEGO pieces available and fitted into a custom carbon fiber base with 3D-printed anchors. All the LEGO pieces were then glued together to prevent any accidental disassembly in flight. Finally, the coaster was launched via weather balloon, and its builders jumped in a car to track its location and retrieve it from its predicted landing site some 60 miles to the south.
After reaching its operational altitude, the coaster’s lift hill motors were activated and the train began making its way around the track. In all, it managed to complete 24 laps before its cars got stuck and were eventually ejected from the track. Woopsie! So, if you live in the English countryside and were wondering where the LEGO minifig you found in your yard came from, now you know.
[via TheAwesomer]
With over 17 years of writing experience, Jonathan has had a passion for all things tech-related, ever since watching Inspector Gadget as a child. He's disassembled countless appliances and managed to put a few back together, and one still works. When not writing, he can often be found playing video games or accidentally hurting himself in the garage.