Editing Launched roller coaster

{{Short description|Modern form of roller coaster}}
{{More citations needed|date=October 2012}}
The '''launched roller coaster''' is a type of [[roller coaster]] that initiates a ride with high amounts of acceleration via one or a series of [[linear induction motor]]s (LIM), [[linear synchronous motor]]s (LSM), [[catapult]]s, tires, chains, or other mechanisms employing [[hydraulic]] or [[pneumatic]] power, along a [[launch track]]. This mode of acceleration powers many of the fastest roller coasters in the world. [[File: Blue Fire Megacoaster - Europa-Park - Durchfahrt des Loopings.jpg|thumb|right|300px|[[Blue Fire]], a launched looping roller coaster at [[Europa-Park]], [[Germany]]]]

==Electromagnetic==<!-- This section is linked from [[Roller coaster]] -->

===LIM / LSM===
Linear induction motor (LIM) and linear synchronous motor (LSM) coasters use propulsion via [[electromagnet]]s, which utilize large amounts of electricity to propel the coaster train along its track into the ride elements (e.g. inversions, twists, turns and short drops). Ten design companies managing these types of rides are [[Vekoma]], [[Intamin]], [[Gerstlauer]], [[Premier Rides]], [[Maurer AG|Maurer]], [[Zierer]], [[Mack Rides]], [[Bolliger & Mabillard]], [[Rocky Mountain Construction]] and [[S&S Worldwide]]. Both Rocky Mountain Construction and Bolliger & Mabillard established their first LSM launched coasters recently with the RMC Topper Track Coaster, Lightning Rod, at Dollywood, and B&M's wingrider, Thunderbird, at HolidayWorld.

An example of an LSM launched roller coaster is [[Maverick (roller coaster)|Maverick]] at [[Cedar Point]] in Sandusky, Ohio.

These launch systems transfer electricity through a motor on the roller coaster's track so that it controls the speed at which it will urge the cars and train either forward or backward on a segment. LIMs are mainly used in [[Premier Rides]] roller coasters and [[Intamin]] impulse and blitz coasters. However, LIMs can also be used for general transport, such as the [[Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover]] in [[Magic Kingdom]] or monorail and [[maglev]] trains.

==Fluid pressure==
===Hydraulic fluid===<!-- This section is linked from [[Roller coaster]] -->
[[File:Rita catch car.jpg|thumb|The catch-car of the [[Rita_(roller_coaster)|Rita]] roller coaster at [[Alton Towers]]]]
[[Hydraulic]]-launched roller coasters, pioneered by [[Switzerland|Swiss]] manufacturer [[Intamin]], give the riders greater acceleration with improved smoothness over the electromagnetic and catapult launch mechanisms.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Pendrill|first=Anne-Marie|date=2008|title=Acceleration in one two and three dimensions in launched roller coasters|url=https://www.academia.edu/1288750|journal= Physics Education|volume=43 |issue=5 |page=483 |doi=10.1088/0031-9120/43/5/003 |bibcode=2008PhyEd..43..483P }}</ref> The acceleration from a hydraulic launch is greatest at the beginning and dies off rapidly, but the acceleration from a LIM/LSM launch remains fairly constant throughout the duration of the launch.

The core of the system involves powerful hydraulic pumps, usually eight, that are each capable of producing approximately 500 [[horsepower]] (373&nbsp;kW).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://themeparks.about.com/od/photoandvideogallery/ss/KingdaHydraulic.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209105325/http://themeparks.about.com/od/photoandvideogallery/ss/KingdaHydraulic.htm |archive-date=2006-02-09 |title=How Kingda Ka works photos- Pictures of the hydraulics that power Kingda Ka roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure, New Jersey |publisher=Themeparks.about.com |date=2010-06-19 |access-date=2011-12-04}}</ref> In [[Kingda Ka]]'s configuration, the system was able to produce a peak power of up to 20,800&nbsp;hp (15.5 MW) for each launch. [[Hydraulic fluid]] is pumped into several different [[hydraulic accumulator]]s – energy storing devices – containing two compartments that are separated by a [[piston]]. As the incompressible hydraulic fluid is pumped into one compartment, [[nitrogen]] in the other compartment is compressed. At launch, the fluid under pressure from the accumulators is used to drive a number of [[hydraulic motor]]s (commonly 16 or 32), which spin a large [[winch|winch drum]] that rewinds a cable attached to the lead car of the train, called the catch-car, in a matter of seconds. The cable runs under the [[launch track]], and the catch-car moves along a groove in the track's center.

The motor is positioned at the opposite end of the catch-car on the launch track. While the train inches forward into a ready position, the pusher mechanism moves back from the motor toward the train. Once the pusher connects, the anti-rollback [[brake|braking]] system drops beneath the track, giving the train the green light to be launched.

The first hydraulic launch coaster was [[Xcelerator]] reaching {{convert|82|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 2.3 seconds. Kingda Ka at [[Six Flags Great Adventure]], was capable of reaching {{convert|128|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 3.5 seconds. The fastest roller coaster in the world, [[Formula Rossa]], reaches {{convert|149|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} in 4 seconds using the hydraulic method.

[[Accelerator Coasters]] manufactured by [[Intamin]] commonly place a [[Top hat (roller coaster element)|top hat element]] after the launch, which is a hill in the shape of a tower with a 90-degree ascent and 90-degree drop. Trains enter and exit this element in opposite directions. [[Top Thrill Dragster]], built in 2003, includes this element followed by a brake run, while Kingda Ka, built in 2005, adds a {{convert|129|ft|m|abbr=on}} airtime hill before the final brake run. Some hydraulic coaster layouts omit the top hat element altogether. Another manufacturer, [[Vekoma]], began producing hydraulic-launched coasters in 2004 with the opening of [[Booster Bike]] at [[Toverland]] in the [[Netherlands]], reaching speeds up to {{convert|47|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}.

===Pneumatic (compressed air)===<!-- This section is linked from [[Roller coaster]] -->
Using the same type of system as a hydraulic launch, a pneumatic launch uses compressed air to launch the vehicle. The technology was developed by [[S&S - Sansei Technologies|S&S]] as the ''[[Thrust Air 2000]]'' model. The first coaster of this type was the ''[[Hypersonic XLC]]'', opened at [[Kings Dominion]] in Doswell, Virginia, USA in 2001. This coaster closed in 2007. Another incarnation, the [[Ring Racer]], was open for only 4 days. Compressed air launches are able to provide more acceleration than traditional pneumatic launches, with [[Do-Dodonpa]] at [[Fuji-Q Highland]] in Japan having held the acceleration record from when it opened as Dodonpa in 2001 until its closure in 2024, launching passengers from 0 to 112&nbsp;mph (180&nbsp;km/h) in 1.56 seconds (this record is now held by [[Stealth (roller coaster)|Stealth]] at [[Thorpe Park]], UK). S&S has brought back pneumatic launches in China with OCT Thrust SSC1000 and Bullet Coaster at [[Happy Valley Wuhan]] and [[Happy Valley Shenzhen]] respectively. [[Maxx Force]] at [[Six Flags Great America]] marked the return of pneumatic launches in the United States.

==Other styles==
===Eddy current launcher (LEM)===
Magnets are placed under the cars and a series of [[flywheels]] coupled to aluminum discs is in the launch zone: there is no contact between the two. The system can be used also for speed up intermediate launchers, and for braking, with static aluminum blades, at the end of the ride. Thanks to the energy stored in the flywheels, the power demand for launching is flat. Two operating examples of this technique are the ''Drifter'' at Sochi Park in the [[Sochi Olimpic Park]] and at FunWorks, Abu Dhabi (manufacturer I.E.Park<ref>{{Cite web|title=I.E.Park in the roller coaster database|url=https://rcdb.com/7296.htm|website=rcdb.com|access-date=2020-12-14}}</ref>)

===Catapult===<!-- This section is linked from [[Roller coaster]] -->
In the catapult launch, a dropped weight winds a cable to pull the train until it accelerates to its full speed. Dropped weights were used in early installations of [[Shuttle Loop]].

These rides are often not very tall, and usually achieve speeds of 60&nbsp;mph (96&nbsp;km/h).

===Flywheel===
Flywheel launches are used on some [[Anton Schwarzkopf]] designed [[Shuttle roller coaster|shuttle]] loop coasters and [[Zamperla]] [[Motocoaster]]s. A large [[flywheel]] is spun at high speeds and is attached to a cable that propels the train forward.

===Electric motor and spring tension===
Arrow Dynamics' Launched Loop coasters, which were popular in the 1970s and 1980s, use a powerful electric motor and tensioned springs to propel a launch car forward. The launch car pushes the train outward to a drop, and then returns to its position. After the train reaches the opposite platform, another catch car works the same way. An example of this is [[Irn Bru Revolution]].

===Friction wheels===
Another type of launch is by [[drive tire|friction wheel]]s. The launch track consists of a series of horizontal tires that pinch the brake fins on the underside of the train. One example of this is the ''[[Incredible Hulk Coaster]]'' at Universal's [[Islands of Adventure]].

==Examples==

===[[Australia (country)|Australia]]===
*[[Jet Rescue]] ([[Sea World (Australia)|Sea World]])
*[[Motocoaster (Dreamworld)|Motocoaster]] ([[Dreamworld (Australian theme park)|Dreamworld]])
*[[Steel Taipan]] ([[Dreamworld (Australian theme park)|Dreamworld]])
*[[Surfrider]] ([[Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast]])
*[[Superman Escape]] ([[Warner Bros. Movie World]])
*[[Tower of Terror II]] ([[Dreamworld (Australian theme park)|Dreamworld]]) ''(removed)''

===[[Belgium]]===
*[[Anubis The Ride]] ([[Plopsaland]])
*[[Fury (roller coaster)|Fury]] ([[Bobbejaanland]])
*{{interlanguage link|Psyké Underground|lt=Psyké Underground (Walibi Belgium)|de||fr|Turbine (Walibi Belgium)|nl|Turbine (Walibi Belgium)}} 
*[[Pulsar (Walibi Belgium)|Pulsar]] ([[Walibi Belgium]])
*[[The Ride to Happiness]] (Plopsaland)

===[[Brazil]]===

*[[Katapul]] ([[Hopi Hari]])

===[[Canada]]===
*[[AlpenFury]] ([[Canada's Wonderland]])
*[[Back Lot Stunt Coaster (Canada's Wonderland)|Back Lot Stunt Coaster]] ([[Canada's Wonderland]])
*[[ThunderVolt]] ([[Playland (Vancouver)|Playland]])

===[[China]]===

*Battle of Blue Fire ([[Quancheng Euro Park]])
*[[Decepticoaster]] ([[Universal Studios Beijing]])
*Legendary Twin Dragon (Chongqing Sunac Land)
*Light Of Revenge ([[Happy Valley Nanjing]])
*Hurricane Roller Coaster (Suzhou Amusement Land Forest World)
*OCT Thrust SSC1000 ([[Happy Valley Wuhan]])
*[[RC Racer]] ([[Shanghai Disneyland]])
*[[Tron Lightcycle Power Run]] ([[Shanghai Disneyland]])

=== [[Denmark]] ===

* Juvelen ([[Djurs Sommerland]])

===[[Finland]]===
*[[Half Pipe (roller coaster)|Half Pipe Coaster]] ([[Särkänniemi]]) (defunct)
*{{interlanguage link|Motogee|fi}} ([[Särkänniemi]])
*[[Taiga (roller coaster)|Taiga]] ([[Linnanmäki]])
*[[Junker (roller coaster)|Junker]] ([[PowerPark]])

===[[France]]===

* [[Toutatis (roller coaster)|Toutatis]] ([[Parc Astérix]])

*[[Objectif Mars]] ([[Futuroscope]])
*[[RC Racer]] ([[Walt Disney Studios Park]])
*[[Rock 'n' Roller Coaster]] ([[Disneyland Paris]]) ''(closed)''
*[[Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain]] ([[Disneyland Paris]])

===[[Germany]]===
*[[Blue Fire|Blue Fire Megacoaster]] ([[Europa-Park]])
*Desert Race ([[Heide Park]])
*[[Escape of Novgorod|Flucht von Novgorod]] ([[Hansa-Park]])
*[[F.L.Y. (roller coaster)|F.L.Y.]] ([[Phantasialand]])
*[[Karacho]] ([[Erlebnispark Tripsdrill]])
*{{interlanguage link|Movie Park Studio Tour|de||nl|Movie Park Studios}} ([[Movie Park Germany]])
*[[ring°racer]] ([[Nürburgring]]) ''([[List of defunct amusement parks|defunct]])''
*{{interlanguage link|Sky Scream|nl}} ([[Holiday Park, Germany|Holiday Park]])
*[[Star Trek: Operation Enterprise]] ([[Movie Park Germany]])
*[[Taron (roller coaster)|Taron]] ([[Phantasialand]])
*[[Voltron Nevera (roller coaster)|Voltron Nevera]] ([[Europa-Park]])

===[[Hong Kong]]===
*[[RC Racer]] ([[Hong Kong Disneyland]])

===[[Italy]]===
*[[ISpeed]] ([[Mirabilandia (Italy)|Mirabilandia]])
*[[Shock (Rainbow MagicLand)|Shock]] ({{interlanguage link|Rainbow MagicLand|de|MagicLand|fr|MagicLand|hy|Rainbow Magicland|hyw|Rainbow Magicland|it|MagicLand|nl||pt|Rainbow Magicland|ru|Rainbow Magicland}})

===[[Japan]]===
*[[Do-Dodonpa]] ([[Fuji-Q Highland]]) ''(Removed)''
*[[Takabisha]] ([[Fuji-Q Highland]])
*[[Shuttle Loop (Nagashima Spa Land)|Shuttle Loop]] ([[Nagashima Spa Land]])

===[[Netherlands]]===
*[[Booster Bike]] ([[Toverland|Amusement Park Toverland]])
*[[Formule X]] ({{interlanguage link|Drievliet Family Park|lt=Drievliet|de||fr|Drievliet|fy|Familiepark Drievliet|nl|Familiepark Drievliet}})
*[[Gold Rush (Slagharen)|Gold Rush]] ([[Attractiepark Slagharen|Slagharen]])
*[[Xpress: Platform 13]] ([[Walibi Holland]])

===[[Norway]]===
*[[Speed Monster]] ([[Tusenfryd]])

===[[Poland]]===
* [[Abyssus]] ([[Energylandia]])
* [[Formuła (Energylandia)|Formuła]] (Energylandia)
===[[Saudi Arabia]]===
*[[Falcons Flight]] ([[Six Flags Qiddiya]])

===[[Singapore]]===
*[[Battlestar Galactica: Human vs. Cylon]] ([[Universal Studios Singapore]])

===[[South Africa]]===
*[[Golden Loop]] ([[Gold Reef City]])

===[[Spain]]===
*{{interlanguage link|Batman: Gotham City Escape|de|Batman Gotham City Escape}} ([[Parque Warner Madrid]])
*[[Furius Baco]] ([[PortAventura Park|Port Aventura's Park]])
*[[Red Force (roller coaster)|Red Force]] ([[Ferrari Land]])
*[[:es:Uncharted:_El_Enigma_de_Penitence|Uncharted: El Enigma de Penitence]] ([[PortAventura Park|Port Aventura's Park]])

===[[Sweden]]===
*[[Helix (roller coaster)|Helix]] ([[Liseberg]])
*[[Kanonen]] ([[Liseberg]]) ''(removed)''

===[[United Arab Emirates|UAE]]===
*{{interlanguage link|Madagascar Mad Pursuit|de}} ([[Motiongate Dubai|Motiongate]])
*[[Formula Rossa]] ([[Ferrari World Abu Dhabi|Ferrari World]])
*[[Turbo Track]] ([[Ferrari World Abu Dhabi|Ferrari World]])

===[[United Kingdom|UK]]===
*[[Revolution (Blackpool Pleasure Beach)|Revolution]] ([[Blackpool Pleasure Beach]])
*[[Rita (roller coaster)|Rita]] ([[Alton Towers]])
*[[Icon (roller coaster)|Icon]] ([[Blackpool Pleasure Beach]])
*[[Velocity (roller coaster)|Velocity]] ([[Flamingo Land]])
*[[Stealth (roller coaster)|Stealth]] ([[Thorpe Park]])
*[[Mandrill Mayhem]] ([[Chessington World of Adventures|Chessington]])

===[[United States|USA]]===
*{{interlanguage link|Avatar Airbender (suppress redirect)|lt=Avatar Airbender|simple|Avatar Airbender}} ([[Nickelodeon Universe Mall of America]])
*[[Backlot Stunt Coaster]] ([[Kings Dominion]]) ([[Kings Island]]) ([[Canada's Wonderland]])
*[[Cheetah Hunt]] ([[Busch Gardens Tampa Bay]])
*[[Copperhead Strike]] ([[Carowinds]])
*[[DarKoaster: Escape The Storm]] ([[Busch Gardens Williamsburg]])
*[[Flight of Fear]] ([[Kings Dominion]]) ([[Kings Island]])
*[[Full Throttle (Six Flags Magic Mountain)|Full Throttle]] ([[Six Flags Magic Mountain]])
*[[Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind]] ([[Epcot]])
*[[Half Pipe (roller coaster)|Half Pipe Coaster]] ([[Elitch Gardens Theme Park|Elitch Gardens]])
*[[Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts]] ([[Universal Studios Florida]])
*[[Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure]] ([[Universal Islands of Adventure]])
*[[Ice Breaker (roller coaster)|Ice Breaker]] ([[SeaWorld Orlando]])
*[[Incredible Hulk Coaster]] ([[Universal Islands of Adventure]])
*[[Incredicoaster]] ([[Disney California Adventure Park]])
*[[Joker's Jinx]] ([[Six Flags America]])
*[[Kingda Ka]] ([[Six Flags Great Adventure]])(Removed)
*[[Lightning Rod (roller coaster)|Lightning Rod]] ([[Dollywood]])
*[[Maverick (roller coaster)|Maverick]] ([[Cedar Point]])
*[[Maxx Force]] ([[Six Flags Great America]])
*[[Monsters, Inc. (franchise)#Monsters, Inc. Door Coaster|Monsters, Inc. Door Coaster]] ([[Disney's Hollywood Studios]])
*[[Montezooma's Revenge]] ([[Knott's Berry Farm]])
*[[Mr. Freeze (roller coaster)|Mr. Freeze]] ([[Six Flags Over Texas]]) ([[Six Flags St. Louis]])
*[[Pantheon_(roller_coaster)|Pantheon]] ([[Busch Gardens Williamsburg]])
*[[Penguin Trek]] ([[SeaWorld Orlando]])
*[[Poltergeist (roller coaster)|Poltergeist]] ([[Six Flags Fiesta Texas]])
*[[Possessed (roller coaster)|Possessed]] ([[Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom]])
*[[Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride]] ([[Universal Studios Florida]])
*[[Rock 'n' Roller Coaster]] ([[Disney's Hollywood Studios]])
*Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring the Electric Mayhem ([[Disney's Hollywood Studios]])
*[[Sandy's Blasting Bronco]] ([[Nickelodeon Universe American Dream]])
*[[Slinky Dog Dash]] ([[Disney's Hollywood Studios]])
*[[Stardust Racers]] ([[Universal Epic Universe]])
*[[Steel Venom (Valleyfair)|Steel Venom]] ([[Valleyfair]])
*[[Storm Runner]] ([[Hersheypark]])
*[[Superman: Escape from Krypton]] ([[Six Flags Magic Mountain]])
*[[Tempesto]] ([[Busch Gardens Williamsburg]])
*[[The Flash: Vertical Velocity (Six Flags Great America)|The Flash: Vertical Velocity]] ([[Six Flags Great America]])
*Timmy's Half Pipe Havoc ([[Nickelodeon Universe American Dream]])
*[[Tigris (roller coaster)|Tigris]] ([[Busch Gardens Tampa Bay]])
*[[Top Thrill Dragster]] ([[Cedar Point]])
*[[Top Thrill 2]] ([[Cedar Point]])
*[[Tron Lightcycle Power Run]] ([[Magic Kingdom]])
*[[VelociCoaster]] ([[Universal Islands of Adventure]])
*[[Verbolten]] ([[Busch Gardens Williamsburg]])
*[[Volcano, The Blast Coaster|Volcano]] ([[Kings Dominion]])(Removed)
*[[Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster]] ([[SeaWorld San Antonio]])
*[[West Coast Racers]] ([[Six Flags Magic Mountain]])
*[[Wicked Twister]] ([[Cedar Point]])(Removed)
*[[Xcelerator]] ([[Knott's Berry Farm]])

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Launched roller coasters}}
* [http://schwarzkopf.coaster.net/ESshuttlelooptyp1GF.htm Counterweight] launch system on Schwarzkopf rides
* [http://schwarzkopf.coaster.net/ESshuttlelooptyp2GF.htm Flywheel] launch system on Schwarzkopf rides
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20161015175645/http://www.intaminworldwide.com/amusement/RollerCoasters/LSM+Launch+Coaster/tabid/138/ProductNumber/LSM+Launch+Coaster/language/de-DE/Default.aspx Intamin official website]

{{Rollercoaster tracks}}
{{Intamin}}
{{Vekoma}}

[[Category:Launched roller coasters| ]]
[[Category:Types of roller coaster]]
[[Category:Linear induction motors]]