Page 13
ESCAPE PODS
Page 13
ESCAPE PODS
| There are at least 3 escape pods aboard the Delta Flyer. The Delta Flyer's comparatively small size, 16.45 metres (source TOSTFF), precludes a large or even multi-occupant escape pod. Therefore a Delta Flyer escape pod measures just 2.286 metres i.e. only slightly larger than a photon torpedo. Space within is cramped, therefore, with the occupant required to lie in a horizontal position, although the interior LCARS interfaces are designed for easy access in this position, being located above chest height on the sloped bulkhead panels on both sides of the occupant, with a small master control panel mounted slightly closer to the user.
Each escape pod is built into the rear infrastructure of the Delta Flyer and are designed to enable an able-bodied crewmember to enter the escape pod in a matter of seconds. The amount of time is vital in the event of dire catastrophe such as a warp-corp containment failure. Escape pods can be launched automatically from the Ops and Tactical station in the front section of the Delta Flyer, or they can be manually launched by pressing a single control. Successful ejection of an escape pod from the Delta Flyer is indicated by a low rumbling sound from the rear of the ship. Once launched, the escape pod has a limited range impulse engine and RCS (reaction control thrusters for maneuvering). The escape pod's flight path can be programmed e.g. to take it away from a hazardous area, but can be piloted manually. Should the occupant of an escape pod need to mount a defence (the cause of the pod's launch may have been due to hostile action by another ship), the escape pod's weapons are limited, comprising a single phaser emitter. The phaser array is located aft of the pod's upper lid. |
 One of the emergency escape pods. [#140 Good Shepherd]
 Part of the interior of an emergency escape pod. [#140 Good Shepherd] |
Escape pods are individually named and numbered.
The escape pod is equipped for atmospheric entry and therefore has the ability to land on a planetoid. The external design of the pod is aerodynamically styled to maximise the chances of the occupant's survival during an orbital entry. In addition, the escape pod is constructed from a series of smooth interlocking coloured plates, white in colour, which form a durable outer shell and thus a high degree of protection is offered to the occupant against the vaccum of space, the heat of re-entry and the impact of landing.
The pod consists of two separate sections which form an airtight seal when occupied: the upper raised section clamps down on the larger underside immediately before launch. The upper lid section is formed of a raised area which houses the several internal control systems. It is an efficient but cramped and possibly claustrophobic design, although the upper section of the lid contains a small window on both the port and starboard sides enabling the occupant to at least see out. The main sensor array is located directly above the occupant's head. The interior construction is totally utilitarian and includes a series of grey reinforcing "ribs" along the bulkheads formed by a metallic framework, and internal illuminated is dim, and is generated by a number of low level circular lights built into the underside of the upper section's bottom half. At the rear of the lid section is a central locator strobe and two RCS.
The markings along the sides of the escape pod read: U.S.S. Voyager United Federation of Planets in black lettering, along with the words Delta Flyer Escape Pod and 74656 Emergency in bold letters on the lower section.
Aft of the lid is the small phaser array, and behind it is a secondary sensor array.
The lower section of the escape pod has additional RCS thruster units, along with a small impulse engine located on the underside. There are two small triangular segments which utilise Borg technology, part of Seven's contribution to the design.
The escape pod is, naturally, equipped with subspace radio in order that the occupant may seek rescue.
The escape pod can be beamed directly back into its housing in the rear of the Delta Flyer if, say, an emergency situation turns out to be a false alarm.
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