IN VIDEO and PICTURES: Alton Towers announces new space-themed virtual reality rollercoaster

Designs for the latest attraction have been unveiled by the Staffordshire site, seven months after a horrific smash on the Smiler ride that seriously injured five people.

Bosses hope the ride will give the park a boost after visitor numbers dropped since the accident.

Galactica, which will open in April, will be the first rollercoaster in the world fully dedicated to virtual reality, combining the sensations of a physical 'flying' ride with a journey through space.

Several virtual-reality recordings simulate rollercoaster rides, but Alton Towers said Galactica would combine the two experiences for the first time.

· Total G-force: 3.5 G's

· Track length: 840 metres

· Height of drop: 20 metres

· Ride duration: 189 seconds

· Maximum speed: 75km per hour

· Capacity per car: 28 passengers

· Capacity per hour: 1500 passengers

Over the course of the three-minute ride, the headsets will show passengers a journey across a series of different galaxies, timed to coincide with the ride's twists, turns and falls.

Lying facedown, they will experience a maximum g-force of 3.5gs, which the park says is more than astronauts typically experience during rocket launches.

The voice of an on-board artificial intelligence will talk visitors through the experience.

The virtual reality video will be synced with the twists, turns and loops of the 2,760 ft track, trying to recreate a sense of hurtling through space.

Gill Riley, marketing director at Alton Towers, said it would capture the imagination of people inspired by astronaut Major Tim Peake.

She said: "Galactica uses ground breaking technology to give riders a breathtaking and completely unique rollercoaster experience. Tim Peake captured the imagination of millions of Brits last year when he set off on his mission to the International Space Station – and now our visitors can become astronauts too.

"There is nowhere else in the world that people can experience the feeling of a flying rollercoaster combined with soaring through the universe. For two minutes, our guests will be transported into space and we believe Galactica showcases the future for theme parks around the world – it's a complete game changer."

Galactica will be located in the Forbidden Valley area of the theme park.

It will have a 50ft drop and a maximum speed of 46m per hour, and the 28 passengers will travel 2,800ft in just over three minutes. Around 1,500 people will be able to use the ride every hour.

Last week it was announced that the park will open its first Rollercoaster Restaurant, where food is delivered along a loop-the-loop laden track and down an eight meter drop down spiral to one of the 13 tables.

The restaurant will open on May 13 and will offer everything from burgers, steaks, soups and ice cream.

Promising a 'full 360 degree dining experience' a full menu and prices are yet to be released.

Two women had legs amputated after the rollercoaster carriage they were riding in collided with an empty carriage on June 2.

Fourteen other people on the Smiler ride were also injured. The ride has remained closed since.

Bosses announced in November that up to 190 jobs could go after profits fell.