February 21, 2025
The members had plenty of big questions during the very first official Mission Prater meeting: What really happens behind the scenes at the Prater’s amusement rides? And what do astronauts actually hear in space?
Backstage at the Praterturmat 117 meters, the tallest ride in the Vienna Praterthe members learned a lot about the operation of the carousel and, most interestingly, discovered surprising parallels to space travel! They were especially curious about the safety protocols in place, which are, after all, essential for a safe rocket launch as well. The ride Apollo 12 also made a lasting impression with its space-themed design, true to its name.The young participants then set off on a rather unusual exploration: first, without their sense of sight. Blindfolded, they followed intriguing sounds beyond the usual music and chatter. The hum of a motor, the whoosh of a passing rollercoaster, or even the clicking of a slot machine sparked their curiositythey tracked down the sources and documented them. In the reverse experiment, wearing noise-canceling headphones to focus purely on visual impressions, they realized how many details are normally masked by the Prater’s rich soundscape.
Only the cold kept them from hopping on a few rides right away to experience the forces of acceleration themselvesbut no worries, they’ll definitely make up for that next time!
