WIKIARCHIVES.SPACE

Space Shutle astronauts being briefed on the emergency pad escape system are (left to right) Loren Shriver (with hat), Prime Crew Pilot Bob Criippen and Commander John Young. The slidewire system provides a quick escape from upper launch pad platforms in case of a serious emergency. The flight crews wore the spacesuits and other equipment to be worn during a mission, but sandbags were used to duplicate the weight of riders in the slidewire baskets during the training.