Ok, this one's been kicking aound in my noggin for awhile taking shape slowly.

It basically consists of a space station shaped like a jack (from the children's playground game)

The spokes are hollow tubes which are large enough for people to float down, they would also hold bathrooms, restaurants and possibly accomodation. Two of the three spokes would have huge spherical chambers at each end, these chambers would house the entertainment. The remaining spoke would have standard docking modules at either end. These would allow visitors to disembark either from orbit-orbit vehicles or from ground to orbit shuttles.

Sphere no. 1 is entirely transparent (except for structure/ handholds etc) composed of multiple layers of plexiglass/ perspex/strong clear material. People can float around in this one and feel (somewhat) like they're hanging suspended in space. It's also a great way to observe the earth.

Sphere no. 2 contains a 3D maze. Passageways come and go in all directions and can be tricky to navigate. Also contains large foam objects which may have cavities or tunnels in them. This sphere is sometimes used as a mere maze but can also be utilised for laser tag. Teams have the usual guns and jackets but the jackets are padded (for collisions) and helmets are also issued. Foam objects are useful for hiding behind/ setting up ambushes.

Sphere no. 3 (my favourite) contains a zero G trampoline - essentially every part of the sphere is bounceoffable (with the exception of the entrance). Visitors have to wear padded suits and helmets in case of collision. This would be massively fun and could take synchronised trampolining to new heights (pun intended). For effective trampolining, this sphere would either have to be smaller than the others or have internal bouncy walls.

Sphere no. 4 is empty so far... anyone got a good idea?
-- madradish, Dec 22 2002

Concept drawing http://www.geocitie...sh/halfb/index.html
[madradish, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

A page with a picture of jacks http://www.enterbasement.com/games.htm
[madradish, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

orbital http://www.loopz.co.uk/begin.html
spacey [mihali, Oct 04 2004, last modified Oct 21 2004]

Sphere no. 4 = bar and restaurant. We need to relax and have drinks after all that fun.
-- snarfyguy, Dec 22 2002


Cover the back of the door to Sphere 3 with a trampoline, making the interior of the sphere 100% bounceoffable (an excellent word, by ra way).
-- my face your, Dec 22 2002


That's a goodie waugs! You should re-post it.
-- madradish, Dec 22 2002


I just hope Ms. God doesn't get a longing to start bouncing the moon and picking up these jacks.
-- FarmerJohn, Dec 23 2002


Sphere number four is where the mind-control re-education center is housed. Because you just *know* that something this cool is too good to be true. (+)
-- Pharaoh Mobius, Dec 23 2002


Sphere 4 coud be either a gift shop (that's where the real money is) or you could fill it with glitter, and make the biggest snowglobe in history.
-- friendlyfire, Dec 23 2002


What's your problem with my language blissy? (wanna make somethin of it?)

Personally I like the idea of having a sphere set aside for the exclusive use of halfbakers. Plenty of cushion artillery, floating roadcones (spacecones?), a tail for everyone, *lots* of internet terminals and custard served 24/7.

Dustin and other halfpets could have little rocket propulsion backpacks (ok so it's late at night and I'm feeling whimsical).
-- madradish, Dec 24 2002


sphere 4 = co-ed showers. you've got to wash up after a day of playing right?

also, sphere 1 shoul have music by orbital playing. it would be very fitting given the name of this place. linky.
-- mihali, Dec 24 2002


Hold the OEC Lottery draw there. Every visitor is put in one of those inflatable balls-for-rolling-down-hills-in, in the sphere, and big ol' wind machines fling 'em about until one ball-person pops back out at the entrance. That person wins a week's free stay at the OEC.
-- friendlyfire, Dec 24 2002


You're just taking offense all over the place on this one < g>

No offense intended. Merry christmas Dustin, bliss and everyone else. No matter what the date stamp says it's christmas down here now!
-- madradish, Dec 24 2002


Instead of a snowglobe, how 'bout one of them McDonald's-style ball pits (or whatever you call them)

Otherwise, soap bubbles and 0g somehow seem like a good combination... I guess you'd need goggles though, or risk getting lots of soap in your eyes
-- herilane, Dec 25 2002


Sphere 4: the rotating roller blade park. The inside of the sphere is completely covered with a variety of contours, ramps, and obstacles (configurable of course). You climb in and hold on as the sphere starts spinning. When you’re comfortable with the level of centrifugal force, start skating in the opposite direction of the spin (arrows painted on the ‘floor’ for your convenience). I can think of many, many fun games to play in this, like the ‘duration challenge’… Continually increase the spin of the sphere, whoever skates longest before getting plastered to the side wins! OK… that was one of the more bizarre games I thought of.
-- Shz, Dec 26 2002


I agree that in the not too far future (hopfully!) when more people are living in space, & space tourisum kicks off (there are a few companies already designing ships) there will be a need for a place for entertainment. In order for any of the spheres to have zero gs, the structure shouldn't spin. Sorry, Shz, no blading. Maybe a 0-g version, with jet packs (YESSS) The idea of making it the shape of a jack is cute, but more spheres & rings of spheres can be added.
-- the great unknown, Jan 14 2003


Just sphere 4 spins, not the whole complex.
-- Shz, Jan 14 2003


Hold re-enactments of great weightless moments in TV and movie history.

Pour loads of crisps (potato chips) into the sphere, and eat 'em all Homer Simpson-style ("Careful - they're ruffled!").

Kill HAL.

And others that I'm too tired to remember.
-- friendlyfire, Jan 14 2003


Have a ahere for the playing of ball games. Particuly interesting would be catching a "dart" with a bouncy ball on the tip, fins and a propeller (sheilded for the fingers) on the rear. Or maby use my "powered bouncy ball".
-- my-nep, Nov 18 2003



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