Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle: Difference between revisions

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The trooper enters the SOEIV and straps in facing the hatch. The hardened and shielded communications gear, which is built directly into the hatch, feeds the soldier information relevant to the current operation as well as providing a link between all members of the unit during the drop. While within the SOEIV a soldier's helmet integrated comm units are redundant and are normally only used if the pod's comm gear malfunctions.
The trooper enters the SOEIV and straps in facing the hatch. The hardened and shielded communications gear, which is built directly into the hatch, feeds the soldier information relevant to the current operation as well as providing a link between all members of the unit during the drop. While within the SOEIV a soldier's helmet integrated comm units are redundant and are normally only used if the pod's comm gear malfunctions.


A 30-second countdown begins on the commander’s mark, and the SOEIVs fire quickly down through the ship’s belly. The SOEIV is balanced to stabilize in a feet-down position. The pod has limited maneuvering capability, used primarily to coordinate landings, but may be used to avoid defensive anti-aircraft fire. However, if defensive anti-aircraft is present it is almost a mathematical certainty that some pods will be lost. A SOEIV is made of [[Titanium-A]], [[Lead Foil]], and a ceramic skin. The skin burns away during atmospheric reentry, protecting the rest of the pod and its occupant from the worst of the considerable heat. The Lead Foil is there to keep the armor from ripping away and to replace the ceramic skin once it burns away. However, as the ceramic skin burns away the air inside the pod becomes unbelievably hot,<ref name="HtF"></ref> and if the armored skin that covers a pod is damaged before or during its entry into atmosphere it has a tendency to fail spectacularly. This is the reason for the SOEIV's small size — each pod loss only results in one death rather than the deaths of the entire unit.
A 30-second countdown begins on the commander’s mark, and the SOEIVs fire quickly down through the ship’s belly. The SOEIV is balanced to stabilize in a feet-down position. The pod has limited maneuvering capability, used primarily to coordinate landings, but may be used to avoid defensive anti-aircraft fire. However, if defensive anti-aircraft is present it is almost a mathematical certainty that some pods will be lost. A SOEIV is made of [[Titanium-A armor|Titanium-A]], [[Lead Foil]], and a ceramic skin. The skin burns away during atmospheric reentry, protecting the rest of the pod and its occupant from the worst of the considerable heat. The Lead Foil is there to keep the armor from ripping away and to replace the ceramic skin once it burns away. However, as the ceramic skin burns away the air inside the pod becomes unbelievably hot,<ref name="HtF"></ref> and if the armored skin that covers a pod is damaged before or during its entry into atmosphere it has a tendency to fail spectacularly. This is the reason for the SOEIV's small size — each pod loss only results in one death rather than the deaths of the entire unit.
[[File:hevstohalo05.jpg|200px|thumb|left|SOEIVs carrying troopers from the [[7th Shock Troops Battalion|7th ODST Battalion]] over [[Installation 05]].]]
[[File:hevstohalo05.jpg|200px|thumb|left|SOEIVs carrying troopers from the [[7th Shock Troops Battalion|7th ODST Battalion]] over [[Installation 05]].]]
After the SOEIV has penetrated the atmosphere, at an altitude of 3,000 feet,<ref name = "Xbox"/> the upper exterior panels separate acting as a drag-type chute, slowing its descent some and helping to keep the pod on course. At about 50 meters{{citation needed}}, the pod’s computer controlled braking rockets engage, slowing the pod further; allowing for a safe though somewhat abrupt landing. Braking rockets on SOEIVs do fail on rare occasions, leaving the pod’s occupant to die on impact. It’s the death that every ODST fears, and is referred to in hushed tones as "digging your own grave."</ref><ref name=“HtF”>’’’[[Halo: The Flood]]’’’, page 49</ref>
After the SOEIV has penetrated the atmosphere, at an altitude of 3,000 feet,<ref name = "Xbox"/> the upper exterior panels separate acting as a drag-type chute, slowing its descent some and helping to keep the pod on course. At about 50 meters{{citation needed}}, the pod’s computer controlled braking rockets engage, slowing the pod further; allowing for a safe though somewhat abrupt landing. Braking rockets on SOEIVs do fail on rare occasions, leaving the pod’s occupant to die on impact. It’s the death that every ODST fears, and is referred to in hushed tones as "digging your own grave."</ref><ref name=“HtF”>’’’[[Halo: The Flood]]’’’, page 49</ref>