VEM ARCHITECTURE


The VentureStar Escape Module (VEM) will be constructed in two parts. The Pressurized Section houses the astronaut crew. The Escape Section houses all of the hardware to escape from the spacecraft.

The Escape Section is similar to the military F-111 ejection capsule.

The VEM (Image A) will be loaded into the Cargo Hold. Passengers ride into space inside the VEM (Image B), ready to punch out at any sign of catastrophe.

The mass of the Passenger Section of the VEM is summarized in Table 1. The overall VEM mass is displayed in Table 2.


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VEM Pressurized Section specifications:

VEM STRUCTURE
3,922
kg
UNPRESSURIZED HDR
48
kg
HATCH AND BULKHEAD
32
kg
ELECTRICAL POWER
288
kg
COMMUNICATIONS
745
kg
INSTRUMENTATION
382
kg
MISC. EQUIPMENT
209
kg
CREW SYSTEMS
439
kg
3 DAYS FOOD/WATER SUPPLY
338
kg
EC/LSS
614
kg
CONTINGENCY
84
kg
VEM PRESSURIZED SECTION
7,101
kg

VEM Total Mass:

VEM PRESSURIZED SECTION
7,101
kg
34%
50 ASTRONAUTS
4,070
kg
19%
VEM ESCAPE SECTION
9,832
kg
47%
TOTAL VEM MASS
21,003
kg
100%

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