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Stingray · Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Posts: 193 Location: North Carolina

NASA is in development of a escape coaster for their launch pads. Slated for 2012 these “Emergency Egress System” will take endangered astronauts fly 350 feet down from the shuttle on a mini rollercoaster, all in a mere 4.5 seconds. This is your tax dolloars at work here.

Portion taken from CNN By Stephen Handelman
Popular Science
Here's how it works:
· STEP 1: Hop in and buckle up. At the first sign of danger, astronauts dash from the crew vehicle across the top of the launch tower and buckle into an enclosed four-seat mini car. Up to four cabs would be lined up on the track to accommodate other escaping launch and rescue personnel.
· STEP 2: Prepare to drop. A crew member inside unlocks the unpowered coaster from its safety catch, sending the car down a tubular track to the base of the tower. As with many modern amusement-park steel rocket "screamers," gravity keeps the coaster wheels locked to the track, and the enclosure protects astronauts from smoke, toxic leaks and flying debris.
· STEP 3: Hold onto your lunch. Traveling at a gravity-induced 100 miles per hour, the cab rolls about 1,200 feet along a ground track to a safe area or bunker located inside the launch zone. A passive magnetic and friction braking system similar to those used on amusement-park rides decelerates the cabs. Total time from launchpad to bunker: about 88 seconds.
· STEP 4: Relax. The evacuated crew exit the roller-coaster car into the safety of a covered and ventilated area, which can hold 21 people in sealed comfort for up to an hour until the danger has passed
@Portion taken from CNN By Stephen Handelman
Popular Science

So, look for this at your local space port. As taxes payers I think we should have a chance to test this out. Hey how about seeing this a Kenndy Space Visitor Center or the Houston Space Center. That will bring in more crowds.
Links to the NASA escape coaster in more detail.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/space/02/23/nasa.escape.plan/index.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071008093043.htm
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2007/10/orion-launch-to/

e_tapley0687 · Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 398 Location: Nashville, TN

Interesting... I'm up for a test ride! lol
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KerriRocker · Joined: 03 Mar 2009 Posts: 10 Location: Florida

oh my!! I work out Kennedy Space Center so I will see if I can volunteer when they start testing. I wonder if it will count for a coaster credit....