Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle: Difference between revisions

The Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle is an angular pod which vary in size. Within the pod is a crash seat, communications gear, numerous equipment and weapon racks and lockers, and a rudimentary control system<ref name="vis"/> that allows for pod maneuvering.<ref name="universe"/> A "blunt carriage", a SOEIV has a single entry and escape hatch on one side. There is a braking chute system on the pod's top to slow it down and a reinforced impact plating on the bottom of it to absorb crash impact.<ref name="vis"/> The hardened and shielded communications systems within a SOEIV is built directly into the pod's hatch<ref name="bungie.net"/> and enables its operator to synchronize deployment with others.<ref name="universe"/> In spite of the pod's apparent size, there is not much room for its occupant to move around, as most of the bulk is reserved for heat shielding, electronics, the safety harness, and equipment storage.<ref name="bungie.net"/> A SOEIV is coated with ceramic plating, with an alloy crash cage underneath.<ref name="htf53"/> To allow safe re-entry from high orbit or insertion from deep space, the top of the SOEIV possesses a rocket thruster that also serves as a maneuvering aid during the drop.<ref name="odstptd">'''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''', campaign level ''[[Prepare to Drop]]''</ref> The top of a SOEIV houses the pod's automated braking chute system, which itself is an extended cable attached to four petal-like flaps. The back of a SOEIV is entirely sealed off and the front often includes a variety of windows—though the latter feature is not present in every model of the pod. A gas-bolt–operated hatch system is incorporated into the pod's front half.<ref name="universe"/>

An improvement on the SOEIV was the Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pod which was in service with the UNSC by [[2545]]. The pods could be launched from [[slipstream space]] by a starship. The long range pods were composed of [[lead foil]], [[titanium]], and [[stealth ablative coating]], which allowed them to survive in slipspace. These pod were used to transport [[SPARTAN-III Beta Company]] to the surface of [[Pegasi Delta]] during [[Operation: TORPEDO]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''pages 14-16''</ref>

The UNSC partnered with a number of military contractors to introduce an improved version of the venerable design. Aside from some minor aesthetic changes, the post-war pods include more reliable in-flight communications, more powerful maneuvering thrusters and limited inertial compensators, a new brake design, significantly improved structural integrity using new metal matrix composites, and thermal superconducting elements in the heatshield to protect occupants. The internal harness of post-war pods is also highly configurable, and compatible with ODST battledress and MJOLNIR-equipped Spartans.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-fighting-words '''Canon Fodder:''' ''Fighting Words'']</ref>

This variant was used by the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}} in [[2559]]<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2]]'''</ref>, alongside the variants seen above<ref>'''[[Halo Wars 2: Operation: SPEARBREAKER]]'''</ref> to deploy ODSTs and Hellbringers.<ref name="Kinsano"/> It bears resemblance to escape pods equipped on the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}}<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''' level, ''[[Dawn (level)|Dawn]]''</ref>, though it is unknown if the two share more than superficial similarities.