Escape pod

One of the Tantive IV's escape pods

An escape pod (also known as a life pod or life boat) is a small craft which allows crewmembers to evacuate a vessel or spaceborn facility in case of emergency. While escape pods come in many forms and sizes, they typically share the following characteristics:

• A life support system, rations and medical supplies to sustain the passengers until help arrives
• A radio beacon or other communications system to send distress signals
• A propulsion system, to allow the escape pod to escape a hazardous area or make planetfall if the pod is equipped with heat shields.

Examples

• In Star Wars, R2-D2 and C-3PO escaped from the Tantive IV in one of it's escape pods.
• In Babylon 5, Starfury fightercraft are equipped with escape pods to allow the pilot to jettison in case of catastrophic damage.
• In Stargate SG-1, the Prometheus is equipped with escape pods.
• In Star Trek, virtually all capital ships are equipped with escape pods.