This container held the inflatable crew emergency egress slide. If necessary, a Space Shuttle crew would activate the slide by raising this container from its stowed position below the side hatch onto the frame of the open hatch and then pulling a lanyard to inflate the slide for a safe, quick exit to the ground.
NASA added crew escape equipment to all orbiters after the 1986 Challenger tragedy. This equipment was removed from Discovery after its final mission (STS-133 in 2011) and delivered to the Museum in 2012 after the inflation device was discharged for safety. The empty stowage container was reinstalled in the orbiter below the crew hatch, and the slide is in storage.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
EQUIPMENT-Containers
Manufacturer
OEA, Inc.
Universal Propulsion Co.
Dimensions
Overall: 21.6 x 54.6 x 54.6cm (8 1/2 x 21 1/2 x 21 1/2 in.) irregular shape
Materials
Aluminum, cloth, brass
Inventory Number
A20120327001
Credit Line
Transferred from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.