The “Ikigai” Type 43 Escape Pod is the standard escape pod used by the Yugumo Corporation as of YE 43.

Ikigai (生きがい) means “Reason to Live” in Yamataigo (邪馬台語).

In YE 41 an YE 42, the Yugumo Corporation produced several ships in which they had contracted the escape pods out to Geshrinari Shipyards. In YE 43, with the activation of Port Jiyuu the company's production lines expanded. Yugumo Fleetworks was quick to bring the design for a new escape pod system forwards as that it would be easier to work with a unit that was built in-house than one that was made by another company, not to mention the Ge-X3300 - Type 33 Escape Pod was ten years old.

The designers at Yugumo Fleetworks wanted a small rapid launch, harder to detect, and durable escape pod that could sustain the occupants for as long as possible. Also with the company investigating the possibilities of longer-ranged missions, they wanted an escape pod that could place the occupants in stasis to reduce the resources needed to keep them alive for long periods.

The “Ikigai” Type 43 Escape Pod, is a single-person escape pod that is designed for long-range and longer-term survival. It is deployed from specialized launch tubes in the ship's hull. It is propelled from the launch tube using alternating electromagnetic fields which work much like a railgun to propel the escape pod away from the ship at close-to-light-speed. The escape pod is designed for two different modes; the first is an escape with short-term usage and the second is an escape with long-term usage.

The “Ikigai” Type 43 Escape Pod System would become the standard on vessels produced by the Yugumo Corporation.

General information about the escape pod.

General Statistics for “Ikigai” Type 43 Escape Pod
Year Introduced	YE 43
Class/Nomenclature	Yu-D1-X4300 / Type 43
Alternative Nomenclature	None
Designers	Yugumo Corporation
Manufacturer	Yugumo Fleetworks
Fielded By	Yugumo Corporation
Range	Up to twenty-five years in Stasis.
Maintenance Cycle	Every 2 years
Damage Rating (Version 3)	Tier 4
Pricing	5,800 KS

Maximum Capacity: 1 Passenger

Dimensions of the escape pod.

• Height: 2.50m
• Width: 1.32m
• Depth: 0.70m

Propulsion Systems Performance.

• Mizu II Series Continuum Distortion Drives: 0.01c to 500c
• Yumeoibito Hyperspace Fold Drive: 0.1LY/min (10 LY Range per Jump. 60 minute recharge time)
• Hoshi III Series Multi-stage Turbo Plasma Drives: 0.15c
• Anti-Gravity System (Atmospheric): 350km/hour¹⁾
• Range: Unlimited as long as Aether generator is working.
• Lifespan: Design has 10 Years of Planned Service.
• Refit Cycle: Review Every 2 Years.

Launch alcoves on Yugumo Fleetworks ships and space stations can have anywhere from 5 to 50 launch tubes. They generally are found adjacent to key areas of the ship, or off main passageways. During an emergency situation, the launch stations open. Personnel walks into the craft, the inner door closes and the outer door seals then the escape pod is launched away from the ship. On some ships, pods are loaded into the system from cargo bays or storage for multiple launches per tube.

The interior of the pod is filled immediately before launch with a flesh-like gel ²⁾ that congeals around the body of the passenger and separated from the main structure by Yarvex lining. The gel serves as an insulator and shock absorber to protect the occupant. A face mask which delivers a breathable atmosphere and scrubs exhaled gases forms over the face. In-flight, further umbilicals are deployed to catch waste products for recycling, provide nutrients and hydration. In the event of long-term usage beyond twenty-four hours, the KAIMON activates the stasis system which can hold the occupant in stasis for an estimated twenty-five years provided the Aether generator remains active. ³⁾

The KAIMON is programmed to the following priorities, but as a fully sentient system it is capable of making heuristic decisions to maximize occupant survival:

1. Primary - Evaluate Occupant Vitals.
2. Secondary - Locate Friendly Reception.
3. Tertiary - Locate Habitable Planet or Moon.
4. Evaluate for Stasis Mode. Activate if Needed.

In the event multiple pods successfully escape together (on each side), they can join together to share system resources and compensate for limited damage to other pods.

Subsystems on the Escape Pod.

This escape pod utilizes a primarily Durandium Alloy for its hull structure.

The “Ikigai” Type 43 Escape Pod is equipped with the KAIMON-Passage system, which includes its suite of electronics, communications, and sensor systems. It includes the additional modules for SYNC/PANTHEON⁴⁾ connect and uplink capability to other KAIMON. Interface with the occupant is done via SQUID, in the event, the occupant is unable to connect or is incompatible with the SQUID, the KAIMON will perform with full automation.

The “Ikigai” uses a civilian-rated Aether generator and capacitor system. The capacitor system can provide up to three days of power pending the generator stops functioning.

The escape pod utilizes Yugumo Standard Life Support Systems, which includes additional concentrated nutrient injection, stasis equipment and provisions to assist with sustaining the pilot.

Th “Ikigai” Type 43 Escape Pod is equipped with a small Mizu II (Ripple II) Contimuum Distortion Drive, which includes a civilian-rated CFS system for very minor defense and stealth. It also has a low powered Hyperspace Fold Drive that is capable of transit at 0.1LY/min (10 LY Range per Jump. 60 minute re|charge time) It uses a single Multi-Stage Turbo Plasma Drive with a maximum performance of 0.15c at STL. Maneuvering Thrusters (ion thrusters) are used primarily for attitude adjustment, docking, and station keeping.

The escape pod also has an Anti-Gravity System for landing and atmospheric operations.

Andrew created this article on 2021/02/10 21:33. Approval Thread

• New Art by Midjourney Bot made by Andrew 2022/11/08.