Kennywood to launch Sky Rocket in 2010

Kennywood has officially named the new launched coaster that will open at the park in 2010 as Sky Rocket.

Sky Rocket will launch riders from zero to 50 miles per hour within three seconds, before they soar around a circuit featuring a 90-degree drop, a barrel roll and a "top hat" inversion. It will stand on the site of the Turnpike attraction which was removed in August, and is set to open in the Spring.

The coaster is based on a standard design from Premier Rides, but has been re-worked in order to fit into the limited space available at the park. Most of the the trees which surrounded Turnpike have been preserved, and Turnpike itself is to be re-homed elsewhere in the park. Although Sky Rocket will feature several inversions, it will follow the recent trend of avoiding over-the-shoulder restraints and will instead hold riders in placing using lap bars.

Park officials told NewsPlusNotes back in August that the new coaster should be ready for testing by May 1 - suggesting that the official opening should occur close to or during the Memorial Day weekend.

A preview video of Sky Rocket can be found on the Kennywood website.

You can keep up to date with the latest confirmed and rumored opening dates for new attractions over at Theme Park Tourist's "New Attraction Watch" section.