I imagine people returning to Earth “surfing” on a personal heat shield will be an extreme sport in the future.

SCRAM looks like every KSP lander I have ever built.

Re-entering with an "escape hang-glider" was one of the more fun things I've done in KSP

"rocket-propeled lawnchair" Every first ship in any ship building game ever

Years ago I read a humorous sci-fi book that was basically a dystopian military bureaucracy on a space station. Imagine Catch-22 meets Office Space in space. It ended in the most epic way possible: with the hero using a one-man escape bubble to jump back down to earth, where he landed in Texas and walked into the nearest bar. Edit: I found it: Orbital Decay, by Allen Steele. At the time it was just a cool one-off, but I just found it it was the first of a series and he went on to become a best-selling author so I guess I've got some more reading to do.

I always liked the description of MOOSE from an article on Cracked: "MOOSE is the most terrifying form of transportation ever devised by man."

Some of the rescue pod systems were not designed to get you back to Earth, but just to keep you alive until a rescue can come get you. My favorite was the Space Shuttle's "Personal Rescue Enclosure", which was a beach ball-looking spherical thing that you curled up inside and could keep you alive in space for about an hour, just long enough for guys in space suits to toss you across from your stricken vessel to another shuttle orbiter. It was about as bare bones as you can get, low mass, low bulk, designed in the days before the LES suits when there were not enough space suits for a full crew of 7.

The Columbia disaster shows why a single system, no matter how redundant it appears, is *not* "Its own backup option". In spite of the assurances of program management and reliability engineering teams.

Hi Scott. Thanks for this video about the X-38. I worked on this vehicle at Houston, focusing on the High-Voltage and Low-Voltage DC bus distribution boxes. I wish I had better videos to send you of testing, but alas, I don't.

0:29 IIRC, police have to fill out incident reports every time they fire their service pistols. Maybe the imperial laser turret operator people have to do the same if they fire while the ship isn’t engaged in a battle, and their commander just didn’t want to do the paperwork?

Way back when I worked for McDonnell Douglas (MDAC) at KSC I was part of a team that was supposed to evaluate systems for what was internally referred to as the GTFO (Get The F... Out) for Space Station. It never materialized. The problem with all these ideas is the additional cost to develop, build and maintain. The thinking always came back to using the transfer ship as the rescue ship because you already have it. Shuttle was a problem but even back in 1988 there was talk about partnering with the Russians for a long duration escape ship.

I've seen the X-38 on display at the Evergreen Air and Space Museum! I Initially thought it was a pretty detailed mock-up, but looking closer at it, I realized that it was an actual vehicle! So cool!

Re-entering with a pool floaty sounds like the single most terrifying experience you could ever go through.

Scott, “Home safely in any emergency” is quite a bold statement! Yes the spacecraft used today for ‘Orbital’ missions do indeed have redundant systems. But should anything happen to to the spacecraft itself, such as broken hatch hinge, puncture to the skin of the craft or damage to a window seal or cracked glass panel, the integrity of the airtight worthiness would be in jeopardy! I believe the X-38 was an outstanding idea and something similar should still be pursued. Even if the ISS gets retired, we are still going to be putting people in space and they should have some kind of lifeboat pre-staged in orbit. Just my two cents…

13:30 it always upsets me to hear about cool things being canceled when they’re almost done. Oh well.

There are a lot of jobs that involve handling explosives. There aren't very many that involve being handled by explosives. But we're talking about astronauts here. The proposed return methods aren't *that* much more dangerous than their regular jobs.

In all fairness to the Sci-Fi genre and their escape pods, humanity is nowhere near the level of orbital construction (we have zero orbital construction, only orbital assembly) that would necessitate the need for escape pods. The fact that we send pods up means by default, we have pods available to bring people down, so there's no need to engineer anything else as it's purely an expense that essentially gains you nothing in return. When we get to the point where we're building oil tanker/cargo ship sized ships in space and we're not launching crew modules every time there's a shift change, the whole 'life boat' system will have already been revisited and figured out, and put into place so people can stay in orbit, work, and come back when the new crew arrives in what surely will be something much bigger than a soyuz or dragon. Perhaps Starship delivering 100 people at a time for a one month rotation. I highly doubt with an orbital platform on fire and breaking apart in a worst case scenario, we'd not have escape pods not scattered about so that whatever ship that is the usual crew ferry isn't sitting there waiting for every last person to board while everything burns and deorbits around it.

"No shortage of ideas" is a phrase I'm going to use more frequently in meetings to call out bullshit.

Hi Scott! Big fan of yours! Could you talk about material wear down in space-stuff? There's much overoptimistic talk about o-neill cylinders, generation ships, giant space stations and such, but after looking at the back of my fridge, I'm thinking there's no way we can live in such a thing and expect for it to work continously with people inside for decades or centuries. Maybe you've heard about wear-and-tear and maintenance on the MIR, ISS,etc? Thank you very much, even if you don't answer to this question!

My attention was immediately grabbed by the fucking telnet Star Wars, that thing is awesome.

Hazegrayart, a channel that does animations of various spacecraft and space launch systems (both historic ones as well as speculative, experimental vehicles that never flew) has a video of the lunar escape system. It's pretty nutty, like two lawn chairs on a rocket.

The appleTV series "Foundation" takes the escape-pod trope to the whole new level where every only-sarcophagus-sized escape pod is also a complete cryogenic space craft that easily reaches 20% of the speed of light (without warp/teleport), and that can travel for 100 years between more distant stars without running out of fuel/power, and that can abort and restart cryosleep, and that functions as 1-time-atmopspheric-entrance-vessel. As narrative device, it is very close do the Tardis or the time machine of Bill&ted, if only in size, and that it is not a time machine.

The idea of using a paraglider wing to land is quite interesting. Normally we don't like wings on spacecraft, let alone rockets, because they introduce additional drag and weight which is a big no-no at the moment of launch and cruise. However, paraglider wings are very light (because they're made of fabric) and are stowed until use, so they might be a workable solution to land a rocket. Would be pretty cool to see a giant reusable suborbital rocket land on a giant parawing.

The X-38 flight hardware was about 65% complete and as of a couple years ago was still stored at JSC.

I've always wondered why they don't just make the battle stations BE the escape pods. If you're about to explode you don't want to have to run for a pod.

The X-38 was never the ACRV. They were two different vehicles and project offices. The ACRV preceded X-38, originally being called the Crew Emergency Return Vehicle. The name was changed because NASA didn't like the word Emergency in the name and what it implied. The ACRV had proposals from Rockwell and Lockheed for entry vehicles, Rockwell's being a scaled up Apollo of course. I worked as an engineer in both projects. I was responsible for the three paintings of the ACRV that you used in the video when talking about SCRAM. The vehicles in the paintings are clearly marked ACRV. The X-38 was always referred to as the X-38, never as the ACRV. At one point during ACRV, our office had discussions with the Russians about the US obtaining Soyuz capsules to fill the role of a return vehicle until we got the ACRV operational.

I worked on the Space Station Centrifuge Facility, before it was cancelled. Very interesting concept. Extremely low vibration, 1.8 meter diameter, with six animal cages, with any two opposite side cages being able to be removed while the other four keep spinning

I love how modern space plane design, but yeah, MOOSE is freaking badass

Hehe. God bless the empire’s eco-drive to save power by not wasting laser power when it might just be a short-circuit.

Imagine actually having to use MOOSE. Terryfing.

In an emergency, I would put my money on Soyuz - only had two fatal mission endings in 54 years, 7 months, 8 days... Thats a hell of a safety record

I am actually almost done with my video on the X-38. Great one again, Scott😀

MOOSE is obviously the superior design because its called MOOSE

Reenter the atmosphere with a heat shield on your back is something for when base jumping has become tedious :-)

"austere: (of living conditions or a way of life) having no comforts or luxuries; harsh or ascetic" Taught me a new word today. Thanks Scott Manley!

US government: how much will escape system cost? NASA: IDK few hundred million US government: How much to train new astronauts? NASA: Few million US government: we have all the info we need

I like how with MOOSE they go "deorbit yourself first, THEN build your reentry vehicle." So if absolutely anything goes wrong in inflating a giant plastic bag with foam while you're inside, you have no abort option to get back to orbit.

Loved the ASCII Star Wars clip!

Scott!! You forgot the PRE! (Personal Rescue Enclosure) Truly one of the weirdest ideas NASA has imagined. Only for crew transfer, but worth mentioning.

In KSP I made up and tested a tiny escape pod concept: Docking port, probe core, battery, inflatable airlock, and 4x drogue chutes. Your ship still needs to be healthy enough to start the deorbit, but that tiny list of parts will safely splashdown a Kerbal from at least up to 2km/s reentry. The docking port is the heat shield, and the docking port/probe core/battery stack make it the fat and heavy end of the pod so it reenters that way nicely. I very loosely based it around the inflatable "rescue-ball" concept that's featured in the "Space Shuttle Operator's Manual".

I don't remember if ESA had anything invested in the X38 but they were pretty pissed on its cancellation. Seems to me if they really wanted to use that for their access to space, they probably could have added some funds to get NASA to finish. They were so close to a working model. The X 33, 34, and 37 also got chopped about the same time.

As a kid in the early 70s I remember reading about MOOSE being in the pipeline. I've always wondered what that ride would be like.

UFO spotted at 1:06 - 1:09 going right to left, Scott’s new outline, “I’m Scott Manely, we are not alone!”

I'm always interested in more of the "unsung" history behind our space exploration, so this is just right up my alley! Thanks, Scott (and those involved in making the episodes)!

I don't think a single one of us would have said a word about the 240p video.. this is probably one of the few channels that actually goes out of their way to find actual footage vs stock clip over and over with some lame robot voice lol

As was pointed out to me in a forum a while ago, why would you abandon a spaceship? It's got all the stuff you need; and it's not as though it's going to sink.

Thank you for this information. Been interested in this subject forever.i used to picture everyone having " mini shuttles " but just dreamcatcher.i think we haven't seen the end of this vehicle

There was also a non-reusable tactic, a temporary HS paint lube, it wouldn't save the outer structure, but the cargo/humans in. The X-15a used this to assume lasting long horizontal, but was effective as re-enter burn. ANY craft can. The original shuttle just lact a surrounding heat shield paint, on the color & decal area, for imbalance dive, could've saved many lives.😔

There is always the option of the Dark Star "wreckage riding" surfboard :)

Haha! I remember playing that version of Star Wars on the BBC Micro. Cheers Scott! 👍😎

The Test-Flight Hardware for the X-38 still exists outside of NASA's buildings in Houston... I've seen it.. I wish it would be restored and displayed somewhere.

MOOSE, or something very much like it, appeared in a novel I read years ago called Orbital Decay. In the story it was treated by the characters as almost a joke because it was clearly insane and probably suicidally dangerous and indeed had never ever been used. I had no idea when I read it that 30 odd years ago that something like it had seriously been considered at one time.

Awesome breakdown and explaining! Thank you for your work put into this!!

Thanks Scott Manley for continuing to share your knowledge and research.

Another piece of great content, this time with the extra joy of knowing where you likely found the inspiration for it ;)

i felt so validated as an aerospace geek when i got the bear in the b-58 pod joke

The rogallo wing, which went on to become the modern hang glider, was developed by Francis Rogallo and NASA as an entry control method during the Apollo era (I think)... also worth a read!

Scott, I hope you see this, I just learned from this that the KOOSE from that KSP mod is based on a real thing, thank you :D

My kerbals rely on the trusted Orbital K/Crew Rescue Assistance Pod. I wonder why NASA didn't pick up the same name, it's descriptive.

Would it be cost-effective to just send George Clooney up with every flight?

What do you think of the idea of using Dream Chaser as a dedicated lifeboat?

this has great info in it....thanks and keep them coming.

Thanks again for another informative space presentation keeping the public at large large informed.

Thank you, that was your best video yet. Great content! Keep them coming.

That ASCII Star Wars takes me waaaay back.

Bravo, you are very well informed. In my youth it was published this inflated recovery life raft, it was after Apollo 13 mission. Thank you for this documentary, I watch your films with great interes.

I think Skylab 3 suffered problems with 2 thrusters. Which is worse because then you have to consider the possibility that there is a flaw in the whole batch. The Cm could easily come back with one or even 2 failing thrusters, but what if on the return journey one or more fail? So while the crew was in Skylab in orbit, Houston and contractors a. tried to find out if there is a fundamental problem with the thrusters and b. simultaneously preparing the rescue CM. The backup crew was involved in both efforts. he irony is that by finding that the crew could come back, the backup crew cancelled their chance for their own space flight (in the long gap til the shuttle). And of course Al Bean and co. brought the thing back in probably one of the more interesting flights with a Apollo CSM. Also even when Freedom was still freedom, the idea of buying/renting a Soyuz was already floating around. Not quite sure, where i read that. Jerry Bosticks book probably or Stafford..

Imagine if the inspections of the Shuttle thermal protection system was done more seriously from the start and that the Shuttle had an escape capsule like this, then the Columbia disaster would've been prevented. Just my 2 cents.

Does anyone else get sad when they see all the amazing proposed space vehicles that were never built?

For my stations in Kerbal I usually added commandpods with a bunch of Seperatrons, a heat shield and set of parachute as a lifeboat

“Thanks in part due to the strict rationing of laser bolts” That gave me a good laugh, I’ve always wondered why the Star Destroyer held its fire. I guess even A New Hope had to rely on plot armor!

Love Scottish humor: stars wars ref, "badassery ", potatovision. Lol

The only aerospace escape capsule that I was aware of (until just now and the new to me example of the B-58) that was actually built and used was on the F-111. They were reported to work quite well in actual use. Of course, the problems that an in-atmosphere escape capsule need to solve are far simpler than of an orbital escape capsule; and that is sugar coating it!

3:16 Saturn V main stage lox tank with baffles. One of the coolest shots ever

One of the most interesting talks l've yet heard. Thanks Scott. 🤩

Thanks, Scott, for explaining this matter. Great job

Brilliant. Thoughtful and informative (with a good dash of opinion) as usual.

That ending Scott. Lol Great video!

When we build huge hundreds of meter spaceships, I hope they have the escape pods from Halo. Damn they're cool.

Nice clip, really enjoyed it. 👍🏻

7:30 To be fair, exposure to vacuumed, lack of oxygen and or water will also make any medical condition worse. Including the medical condition usually called "perfect health"

Really love your work Scott, thank you!

This is so sad. Having those escape gliders on the ISS would be so fucking cool.

Thanks for the video Mr. Manley, it is neat and clear as usual. Just wanted to express my disagreement with the "emergency escape system" being the same ship that transports the astronauts to and from Space. Giving redundancy to every system onboard do not provide a redundant separate mean of escape. Gemini had rocket-propelled ejection seats, Apollo had its solid rocket motor on top. Then, the Space Shuttle had yes maximum redundancies but no escape system, and blew up twice. Soyuz and Dragon both have escape systems; because the First Corollary to the Murphy Law clearly says that: "Your astronauts are going to need an escape system the moment you remove it from your Spaceship". Thank you - once more - for all the continued and very well documented updates you keep providing. Me lazy, I just thumb up and watch them...

ooo the bit about how long the shuttle can stay or orbit is a snarky little inclusion and im loving it

I remember when the X 38 was a project I remember watching the drops on the b-52 on a discovery channel documentary

".... and a whole-lot of bad assery.." Scott - that comment was just great!

Great coverage of all this small cans ;-) Thanks for the nice tech-path overview. by the way: I think ARCA-Space had some development with realy flying demonstrators ;)

You didn’t mention all the Dream Chaser craft on the outer ring of the Voyager Station concept.. since it would be impossible to dock to the outside of a spinning station then the only purpose they could serve is as escape pods..

When he said "thankfully no bear" - I thought he was referring to the "Spaceballs" escape pod scene :-)

"Rocket-powered lawn chair." 3:33 Something you'd see at a Fourth of July picnic after a full helping of Ground Beef Tacos and Loaded Refried Bean Sauce.

Fantastic stuff. Makes me want to make escape modules in kerbal

2:33 Hell yeah, Gordo is the man!

The ACRV made me think of the XRV (experimental reentry vehicle) from the movie "Marooned" (1969).

Brilliant assessments, Scott!

Electron max payload to LEO: 300 kg MOOSE weight: 90 kg Pilot weight: 70 kg EVA suit weight: 115 kg Hypergolic handheld pressure-fed rocket and fuel for OMS: 25 kg.

the image transitions behind you were very entertaining

Interesting to watch this in the aftermath of whatever's up with Soyuz MS-22.

Canceling the ACRV was a classic example of being penny wise and pound foolish.

But obviously the problem with the spacecraft being its own lifeboat is that no matter how many backup systems you have, if a micrometeoroid or space debris punches a hole through it, you aren't going anywhere.