Teens Build 'Battlestar Galactica' Viper Flight Simulator For Maker Faire (VIDEO)

A group of California students have been working to build a flight simulator inspired by the hit series "Battlestar Galactica."

John Boyer, Joseph DeRose, Sam DeRose, Sam Frank and Alex Jacobson hope to unveil their Viper-inspired creation at the 2012 Bay Area Maker Faire, an invention and creativity event held on May 19 and 20.

The body is built out of a fuselage of a small plane and mounted on a motion-controlled simulator that is capable of 360-degree motion on two axes, Mashable explains.

The group is even taking extraordinary measures to create "a totally immerse experience," by decking out the cockpit with a joystick, thrusters, computer monitors and other techie gadgets, according to the video.

The concept began as a Lego prototype and eventually escalated into more complicated models as they idea began coming to life, Boyer described in the group's promotional video.

But sometimes creativity doesn't come cheap. The group estimated the simulator would cost about $17,000 to put together.

Determined to raise enough money to fund the project, the group created a page on Kickstarter and posted a $2,500 goal. They explained all excess funds would go toward the Young Makers program. As of March 26, the project had surpassed $5,900.

Watch the video above to learn more about the project. So say we all!

(Via Mashable)

Comments

[DevonTexas]

08:06 PM on 03/30/2012

" As of March 26, the project had surpassed $5,900."

Nice. Good job, y'all.

[mario andretti]

06:12 PM on 03/28/2012

We built cars, tanks, forts and ships all from the same refrigerator cardboard box covers. They seemed cool at the time.

[DevonTexas]

08:06 PM on 03/30/2012

now those boxes are homes for the homeless.

[Eddy333]

08:23 AM on 03/28/2012

This is what this country needs more of. Smart kids and future engineers who are not afraid to be intelligent, interested, and excited about things....unlike the vast majority of walking dead teenagers who spend their time tweeting about the Kardashians

[Caroleeena]

07:06 AM on 03/28/2012

These kids are inspiring. Eighth grade. They're in eighth grade. Wow.

[Caroleeena]

07:10 AM on 03/28/2012

Actually the software engineer is in eighth grade. At least one of the others is a senior.

Still...

[SueZbell]

11:31 PM on 03/27/2012

Future astronauts at work..

[Marklar]

10:02 PM on 03/27/2012

Please please please build a Battlemech next.

[NOCELL]

09:25 PM on 03/27/2012

And I thought we were doing something when we built "forts" back in the day for our "wars" outside....lol....kids these days.... you dudes rock and you are totally awesome!!.....So say we all!!....

[watson185]

07:27 PM on 03/27/2012

Nerds Rule!!!!!

[Soldier79]

06:42 PM on 03/27/2012

I...I want that!

[Keith James Colleran]

04:47 PM on 03/27/2012

This is the youth that is the hope.

[Makos62]

03:38 PM on 03/27/2012

One day these kids will rule the world...

[djuno1966]

11:58 AM on 03/27/2012

can I wear a hoodie at the controls?

[gyoudumb]

11:08 AM on 03/27/2012

WOW.I really admire people these kids cause so many rather learn about drugs,fighting,stealing,guns,racism etc they chose instead to do great things like this.People like them give us hope,let every child be inspired to be creative and motivated instead of filling their heads with destructive behavior learn from the adults in their lives.

[juanwinglo]

10:59 AM on 03/27/2012

Outstanding !!! Articulate young men with goals and values. A rare combination today and thanks to their parents for raising them to have such qualities.

[JScott]

10:51 AM on 03/27/2012

But I thought they discontinued the Dodge Viper, too gas guzzling V10 engine.