Difference between revisions of "Escape pod"
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An '''escape pod''' (also known as a '''life pod''' or '''life boat''') is a small craft which allows crewmembers to evacuate a [[starship|vessel]] or spaceborn facility in case of emergency. While escape pods come in many forms and sizes, they typically share the following characteristics: | An '''escape pod''' (also known as a '''life pod''' or '''life boat''') is a small craft which allows crewmembers to evacuate a [[starship|vessel]] or spaceborn facility in case of emergency. While escape pods come in many forms and sizes, they typically share the following characteristics: | ||
* A life support system, rations and medical supplies to sustain the passengers until help arrives | * A life support system, rations, and medical supplies to sustain the passengers until help arrives | ||
* A radio beacon or other communications system to send distress signals | * A radio beacon or other communications system to send distress signals | ||
* A propulsion system, to allow the escape pod to escape a hazardous area or make planetfall if the pod is equipped with heat [[shield]]s. | * A propulsion system, to allow the escape pod to escape a hazardous area or make planetfall if the pod is equipped with heat [[shield]]s. | ||
Revision as of 20:02, 25 January 2010
One of the Tantive IV's escape pods
An escape pod (also known as a life pod or life boat) is a small craft which allows crewmembers to evacuate a vessel or spaceborn facility in case of emergency. While escape pods come in many forms and sizes, they typically share the following characteristics:
- A life support system, rations, and medical supplies to sustain the passengers until help arrives
- A radio beacon or other communications system to send distress signals
- A propulsion system, to allow the escape pod to escape a hazardous area or make planetfall if the pod is equipped with heat shields.
Examples
- In Star Wars, R2-D2 and C-3PO escaped from the Tantive IV in one of it's escape pods.
- In Babylon 5, the cockpit of a Starfury fightercraft functions as an escape pod to allow the pilot to jettison in case of catastrophic damage.
- In Stargate SG-1, the Prometheus is equipped with escape pods.
- In Star Trek, virtually all capital ships are equipped with escape pods.
- A Russian Soyuz space capsule is docked with the International Space Station for use as an escape pod.