Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!yetti!geac!chris From: chris@geac.UUCP (Chris Syed) Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle Subject: Re: STS Escape System query Message-ID: <1407@geac.UUCP> Date: Fri, 18-Sep-87 13:18:54 EDT Article-I.D.: geac.1407 Posted: Fri Sep 18 13:18:54 1987 Date-Received: Sat, 19-Sep-87 18:46:09 EDT References: <9144@tekecs.TEK.COM> Organization: GEAC Computers, Toronto, CANADA Lines: 17 Summary: Why go out one by one? In article <9144@tekecs.TEK.COM>, jeffg@tekecs.TEK.COM (Jeff C. Glover) writes: > The latest AW&ST says that the crew escape system uses a tractor rocket > to pull the crew to safety. I assume that since they go out through > the hatch, that they leave one-by-one. Too bad the Shuttle isn't modular like Apollo (or Soyuz, for that matter). The whole 'crew compartment', i.e. the Apollo CM could theoretically blast free of the CSM and parachute to safety during a launch phase emergency. At "T+ few minutes", the escape tower was jettisoned. This whole escape thing reminds me of a commercial flight I was on last year. A first-time passenger listened to the FA's speech about life jackets, and asked in all innocence, "Are our parachutes under the seats too?". I didn't have the heart to explain that at takeoff or landing, a big pillow would be just as effective. cbs.