VEM EJECTION SEQUENCE


The ejection envelope will encompass the region from the launch pad to Max Q. After that, the spaceliner must try to continue its climb to outer space, or try to get back to a lower altitude, or land downrange at a designated Bingo site. The spaceliner can eject with a speed of anywhere between zero and 2 Mach and with an altitude of zero to around 80 km AGL.

Kindly note: the actual performance specifications are beyond the scope of this paper, and will be left to more knowledgeable people.

The ejection sequence should proceed as follows (see Image 1):
  1. The two cargo doors are blown clear from the spaceliner.
  2. The VEM is mechanically separated from the spaceliner.
  3. SRBs fire from the bottom and aft portions of the VEM
  4. The VEM continues to increase the distance between the VEM and the crippled spaceliner
  5. The SRB runs out of fuel
  6. The SRB section of the VEM falls away from the Pressurized Section
  7. A drogue chute is used to stabilize the Pressurized Section
  8. The main parachute(s) deploy to slow the descent rate of the Pressurized Section
  9. The covering for the Floatation Collar is jettisoned
  10. The Floatation Collar is inflated
Image 1: VEM Ejection Sequence
Once the floatation collar has been inflated, the Pressurized Section should be able to either come down in the water or on land. Once down, two 25–person rafts are deployed.

If the VEM lands in the water, the floatation collar keeps the Pressurized section afloat whilst the crew abandons ship into the rafts.

If the VEM is bound for solid ground, the floatation collar is used to cushion the impact. The front of the floatation collar will pop open upon impact, allowing air to escape as the VEM settles to the ground. Afterward, the crew abandons ship into the rafts.

Once secured in the raft, the crew waits until the world comes to them due to the global nature of the search and rescue efforts that would surely ensue.

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