NASA astronauts could soon ride roller-coaster to safety
10/9/2007 9:57:00 AM - Peter McMahonIn the event of a pre-launch abort, astronauts readied to fly NASA's Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle into orbit and beyond could escape from the launch pad in a roller-coaster-like rail car system that starts near the top of the launch pad - 380 feet (120 metres) above ground.
Wires vs rails
Today, space shuttle astronauts rely on a large scale zip-line - consisting of baskets that allow astronauts to hurtle along a cable from the top of the launch pad to an area near an emergency bunker.
It's that bunker - hundreds of metres from the launch pad - which is intended to shield astronauts from any critical problems that may arise with the shuttle at the last minute, from gas venting to explosion.
Unlike the current basket-and-cable system, the next-generation set-up will allow astronauts to ride rail cars from the CEV hatch, down to ground level, then turn to head for and be deposited right at the emergency bunker.
The goal would be to get astronauts from inside the CEV to inside the distant bunker in less than four minutes.
Thrill-ride tech
Called the Orion Emergency Egress System, the rail system is being designed with the help of the world's top roller coaster experts.
"It's obviously not a thrill ride," says Scott Colleredo, NASA's senior project integrator for Constellation program ground systems. "But we're taking advantage of technology that's there."
There has never been an emergency on a shuttle or Apollo rocket launch pad that has involved the crew using the current egress system.
Quelle: Discovery Channel CA