Theme park sends guests’ messages stratospheric

A Lancashire theme park has made history with a world-first initiative that saw personal messages from guests transmitted into space.

Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach Resort became the first theme park to broadcast from the stratosphere after teaming up with Sheffield-based specialists Sent Into Space. 

The project invited guests to record video messages online or at a dedicated booth in the park, which were then loaded onto a purpose-built screen and launched into the atmosphere.

The screen was carried 110,000 feet above earth by a hydrogen-filled stratospheric balloon equipped with satellite tracking technology. 

Once in the upper stratosphere, the messages were broadcast in temperatures as low as -65 degrees Celsius, fulfilling the park’s mission to transmit from space.

Submissions poured in from across the globe, with more than 150 messages ranging from heartfelt tributes to light-hearted proposals. 

The broadcast included contributions from as far away as South Africa, alongside moving messages from families and couples closer to home.

Nine-year-old Nathaniel Currey and his seven-year-old brother Xander shared a message to their late grandpa, explaining “we feel close to you in space because you’re like a diamond in the sky”. 

Sharon Woodward, 55, sent a message to her husband, Dave, telling him she loved him “to the moon and back” despite a “really really tough year,” while Danielle Goodship, 29, told her mum, who has been going through a tough year, that she is doing “a really great job”. 

There were even proposals during the broadcast, with Danielle Manning, 32, proposing to her partner Scott Taylor, and Deana Cotter, also 32, recording a proposal for Scott Cardwell, receiving backing from 12-year-old Mary Cardwell.

The 110,000-foot altitude achieved is the equivalent of 524 rides on the park’s space-themed Launch Pad attraction, which served as inspiration for the initiative. 

By comparison, commercial aircraft typically fly at around 30,000 feet.

After completing the broadcast, the balloon continued to expand until it burst, sending the screen back to earth at speeds of up to 200mph before a parachute slowed its descent to a safe landing.

Pleasure Beach Resort says the feat underlines its ambition to deliver experiences that are truly out of this world.

Amanda Thompson OBE, chief executive of Pleasure Beach Resort, said: “No theme park has ever attempted a broadcast from space before, but Pleasure Beach has always been about pushing boundaries and creating unforgettable moments. 

“To see our guests’ messages transmitted high above the earth was truly extraordinary.

“We’re famous for taking thrills to new heights… and now we’ve sent our guests’ voices into space. 

“It’s a world-first for a theme park, and a moment we’ll never forget.”

Dr Chris Rose, head of projects at Sent Into Space, added: “We’ve pulled off some incredible feats in space, but this collaboration with Pleasure Beach Resort is something special. 

“As a beloved British institution known for pushing limits, it’s brilliant to see them inviting the public to take part in a world-first moment. 

“The journey this screen will take is as extreme as any white-knuckle ride, and we’re proud to help make it happen!”

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →