Скачать или смотреть Melbourne Star Observation Wheel - Sunday 26th May 2019

The Melbourne Star (previously Southern Star) is a giant Ferris wheel in the Waterfront City precinct in the Docklands area of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia.

Described by its operators as "the Southern Hemisphere's only giant observation wheel",[9] it is 120 m (394 ft) tall and has seven spokes, reflecting the seven-pointed star of the Australian flag.[10]

It opened two years behind schedule in December 2008, but closed 40 days later due to structural defects, and was subsequently dismantled for major repairs. The wheel itself was scrapped and replaced, but the original support structure and passenger cabins were retained. It was originally thought that reconstruction might be completed in late 2010, but repeated delays meant it did not reopen until 23 December 2013.

A ride (one complete rotation) takes 30 minutes and, according to the Star's website, provides uninterrupted 360-degree views of up to 40 kilometres (25 mi) "encompassing the Docklands precinct, Melbourne’s CBD, Port Phillip Bay and as far as Mount Macedon, Arthur’s Seat and the Dandenong Ranges."

2006-2009
Construction
The project was undertaken by ING Real Estate and the construction consultant was Hansen Yuncken. The wheel was designed and built by Sanoyas Rides Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Japanese ship and amusement park ride builder Sanoyas Holdings Corporation, and the steel builder was Alfasi Steel Constructions.

Construction began in 2006. By 1 March 2008 the outer rim had been completed,[13] and by 21 October air-conditioned enclosed passenger cabins, built in Osaka, Japan, were receiving their fit out.[5] Each cabin weighs 13 tonnes, is 5.7 m (19 ft) long and 3.7 m (12 ft) high, has floor to ceiling glass walls, and can accommodate up to 20 passengers.

Opening

Southern Star prior to its 2009 closure

Failed joint from the 2009 wheel
The wheel first opened to the public on 20 December 2008, two years behind schedule. Its most recently postponed opening ceremony, scheduled for 28 November 2008, had been cancelled due to bad weather and delays in procuring parts. It had cost an estimated A$100 million to construct and was expected to attract more than one million visitors annually. Tickets cost A$29 for adults and A$17 for children. As at 2018 adult tickets cost A$39 for adults and A$27 for children

Closure
On 30 January 2009, 40 days after opening, the wheel was shut down by WorkSafe after cracks up to three metres (9.8 ft) long were inadvertently discovered by a contract worker installing LED lighting. One node was almost completely torn from its welded joint.[20] Initially the operators blamed the 2009 Southeastern Australia heat wave for causing the damage and it was not known when the wheel would reopen.

Upon further investigation, engineers working on the wheel discovered the cracks were not caused by the heatwave but rather a problem in the original design. Fourteen cracks were found in the steel.

An undated press release on the operator's official website stated: "The Southern Star Observation Wheel was temporarily closed in January 2009. As a result of extensive design and technical reviews a conclusion was reached to build a new wheel."