R7 thrust coupling

R-7 thrust couplings are a form of UNSC propulsion system used to lift spacecraft out of atmosphere and into orbit. Attached to hardpoints on the underside of the vessel, they are commonly used by smaller craft such as corvettes or frigates when entering and leaving docking facilities on a planetary surface. When taking off, the booster packages are typically discarded once the craft has achieved enough lift to leave the atmosphere on its own.

Non-atmosphere spacecraft such as s are also capable of limited atmospheric operation if enough thrust couplings are affixed to their hull, although their maneuverability is extremely limited; Lieutenant Commander Gail Purdy noted that "it'd be like flying a brick with bottle rockets." Regardless, during the Fall of Reach, the successfully used four pairs of these to land onto and lift off a drydock at the Aszod ship breaking yards and escape the planet.

List of appearances

 * Halo: Reach