Taking kids to space to learn about Earth

Dennis Hyde shows off the ride he sold a business and borrowed money to fund. Picture / Brett Phibbs

A high-tech ride shaped like a flying saucer will soon be opening in West Auckland to educate kids about the environment.

The 12m Space Dome also has the capacity to transform into a dance venue that moves in time to music.

The interactive ride will feature movies about space and environmental problems facing Earth, using members from the audience.

"If you were watching a film about the human body, on the screen you would see an image of yourself inside the space ship flying up your own nostril," said Priya Chellani, who works for Space Dome Technologies.

Dennis Hyde, the eccentric creator of the ride, sold his small business and used money from friends and family to fund the project.

"This has been my dream for a long time, but it has almost turned into a nightmare," said the self-described metaphysicist, who had trouble finding parts from overseas.

"We had to use a bit of Kiwi ingenuity to design new parts," he said.

The portable ride has been approved by the Waitakere City Council to open in September, and will be initially based at Westgate shopping centre.

"We see this as a great opportunity to showcase innovative design coming out of Auckland," said Barbara Cade the council's events and special projects manager.

Mr Hyde believes his Space Dome is the first of its kind in the world because of its technology and ability to be transformed for different uses. If features a 168-degree high-definition screen.

The ride uses pneumatics to provide movement. One of the first films to be shown will use footage of a helicopter flight over the South Island.