Margaret B Allen

US Patent:

48609714, Aug 29, 1989

Filed:

Sep 9, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/242253

Inventors:

Margaret A. Allen - Huntington Beach CA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

B64D 2508
B64G 160

US Classification:

244122AD

Abstract:

A method of effecting the in-flight departure of an astronaut from a shuttle craft, and apparatus therefor. A plurality of rocket assemblies with a lanyard for each are provided, although only one rocket assembly is used for one escape. The astronaut is carried in a parachute harness which is selectively connectible by the astronaut to one of the lanyards. A safety lever is moved when the astronaut pulls the lanyard. An ignition system is subsequently actuated when the lanyard is pulled further by the astronaut. Two rods push their corresponding rocket out through the side hatch of the shuttle craft. When the lanyard grows taut, one means fires the rocket. Subsequently, other means pull the parachute ripcord.