The Orbiter was one of the strangest rides at Lightwater Valley, just the look of it would suggest why. The ride was a huge green moon located at the entrance of the park and basically the ride was a huge chair-o-plane!

Space Cadets, in another words riders, would take up an uncomfortable seat attached to the moon and prepare for lift off! The green rail would start to slowly rotate around the moon, sending the chairs outwards. As it picked up more speed, riders would start to feel the force and be pushed out even further! This was quite enjoyable for many people, the wind brushing against your face, spinning round and round!

After a few orbits around the moon the ride would come to an eventual stop, the moment everyone went crazy jumping out of their seats while the ride was still moving! You could argue the ride had theming with the craters on the moon but that was standard on all models. The Orbiter certainly stood out in the park, you would have been blind to miss it!

Overall The Orbiter was a dull chair-o-plane that only received crediability because of its bold looks.

Lightwater Valley leased this ride from Bembom rides from 1998 until 2003. Up until 2001, the ride was known as Heatwave (although it was planned to be actually called Planet Lightwater) due to the fact the moon was bright orange! LWV soon realised how ugly it looked and painted it green to blend in with the surroundings.

The ride came from Dreamland in Margate where it once had something different than swings! 'Apollo 14' had pods attached to the rail! These pods would be attached in fours on each arm, as they orbited the moon, they would spin themselves. We would imagine this was very disorientating! The ride was removed in 2003 after its lease had expired. It can now be seen operating at Loudon Castle as The Plough!

• Lightwater Valley leased The Orbiter from Bembom Rides!
• It was originally called Heatwave and was painted bright orange!
• The original project name was Planet Lightwater!
• The Orbiter had pods instead of swings when it was first manufactured!