NASA Armored Unit - Astronaut APCs!
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- Опубликовано: 6 мар 2024
- Few people know that until 2013, NASA had a fleet of tracked military vehicles for a very special purpose - to help astronauts escape from the launch pad in the event of an emergency. Find out the amazing story here...
Dr. Mark Felton FRHistS, FRSA is a well-known British historian, the author of 22 non-fiction books, including bestsellers 'Zero Night' and 'Castle of the Eagles', both currently being developed into movies in Hollywood. In addition to writing, Mark also appears regularly in television documentaries around the world, including on The History Channel, Netflix, National Geographic, Quest, American Heroes Channel and RMC Decouverte. His books have formed the background to several TV and radio documentaries. More information about Mark can be found at: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Fe...
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Credits: US National Archives; Library of Congress; NASA
Suddenly, NASA installing a Gatling gun on the armadillo vehicle in the Armageddon movie makes a lot more sense.
Lmao
NASA ordered a bunch of M4s several years ago. Everyone was either shocked or joked about fighting aliens but the reason was more practical: basic defense. NASA makes a good terrorist target and their compounds are pretty large and usually far outside major cities. They even have their own police force who federal agents. Needless to say they needed some fire power.
hold up i remember that
How? Were they going to shoot the astronauts with too severe burns?
@@MothaLuva Did you watch the movie, or even read my comment?
I want to take you all back to the summer of 1989. My dad was a Deputy Fire Chief for the Fairfax County, Virginia Fire Department. That summer, we as a family went to the International Fire Chiefs Convention in Orlando, Florida. At the convention center, there were several firetrucks and firefighting equipment. Right at the entrance was one of the 4 M113s. (Off hand I don't remember which one, I ll have to dig up the photos) but it was open and my brother and I could go inside. It was the first armored vehicle I ever crawled in. That was our favorite display and stayed in it till the display hall closed and got told ok time to go. Sad face! But I remember dad describing how they were used but never seen the whole set up till now. Thank you Dr Felton for bringing back a fun memory of my childhood (side note also did Disney World for the first time, but the 113 was more fun)
Hey, I was born there
Not a doctor. Doesn't practice medicine
We have to go back to 1955! It’s your parents. We’ll have to go “back to the future”. I love time travel. They should make a film about it. Your kids will dig it.
@@user-ru9gf7ky2y You are right but in English we don't have a more suitable honorific for the achievements of Dr Feltons nature. Perhaps we could rename MD's something else.... I'm sure you are good with your surgeons being labelled "Mr", just like me!
@@user-ru9gf7ky2y not a doctor of medicine perhaps, but he has a PhD and can therefore be referred to as a a "Dr.", which he took in History.
I drove an M113A3 in Iraq from 2003 to 2004 as a combat medic attached to an armor unit. It was very fun to drive and saved my life in a couple of firefights.
Thank you for your service Doc!
as a iraqi i would also love to ride one
Id have been scared af in Iraq, we rolled around in 25 ton mraps, m113 is great vehicle but not known for its armor! You drove the ambulance version right?
@cascadianrangers728 yes the ambulance version and due to Geneva Conv no heavy weapons... M113 is good against light arms and shrapnel (had several peices in the hull. Luckily the only armor piercing RPG that came at me missed by six inches... that is a story
thank you for serving exxonmobil
That felt like an episode of "Thunderbirds". Amazing
Agreed: also "UFO" and "SHADO Mobile".
I'm happy I wasn't the only one thinking of Thunderbirds 😂 I think it was the black and white photo that got me, very Anderson-esque.
The zip lines were also very Andersonesque I think. Thinking of all those chutes in UFO for moonbase and the submarine.
"Wwelll Mr T-Tracey, I'm glad you asked about how to get out of Thunderbird 1 in a hurry, here's a little system I devised".
"Gee Brains ..."
Yes! :)
As a crew member on a M113 while stationed in Germany 1979-80, I would have never imagined that same APC would have been used for the protection of astronauts.
At age 63 now, thanks again Mark Felton Productions for teaching me something new. Dr Felton rocks!!!
How was your time in Germany?
Ya I was in 13th bravo field artillery US Army National Guard in Arizona back 97' we used the M113 to go along with our self propelled howitzer, we literally had to wear our Kevlar helmets while riding in those things otherwise we would get knocked out due to little to no suspension out in the rugged desert lol
I was MI in Germany 81-84 and If I recall correctly, they're 13 tons. Most of time I was in 557s, being S-2 mostly. Armor vehicles have their bridge classification painted on the front...so an M-60A2 has 60, an APC 13 on the front. The combat engineers had their metal seating removed and pioneer boxes installed instead. Much wider than the metal seats. Also, the NASA APCs are shown with no trim-vanes, it's the plywood that covers the front engine hatch and extends for amphibious operations. Did 2 amphibious operations while in Germany. You grease all the hatch seals, close all the hatches, and then head out into the water. You actually go under the water then popup and swim it across. We had an APC where the driver opened his hatch too soon and it sunk during the pre-dip. We called it the SS Minnow.
@@julieinthenorthwest4594 SS Minnow? That's funny!
I grew up in the shadow of the space program in Florida and back in the 90s they used to bring out the M113s to show off at certain events or times to the public. NASA also has quite the extensive collection (or at least they did) of military surplus gear they repurpose for all sorts of cool stuff
Yeah well many things from the military are usefull for them and there is already infrastructure to maintain it. The m113 is nbc rated, so they are already sealed and have filters to protect from dangerous gas etc. As he said, they added oxygen tanks and insulation to it (probably for long fires).
Creating basicly one of vehicles is expensive, and you also have to maintain it with all its parts that are not standard.
Problem is they are made of aluminum and can burn easy.
@@knerduno5942 Yes, but they can also drive away from the fire, so not really an issue, as after all they are meant to move you away from what is a very energetic candle. Fire fighters will be going the other way, but all they will be doing is using lots of deluge water to contain it to one complex, and then repair it afterwards.
@@knerduno5942It's not like they're positioned right next to the rocket. They're already 1200 ft away, so not really a big issue.
It it was not an issue, then no reason to leave the bunker @@kutter_ttl6786
Daddy what did you do at NASA during the war? I was in the NASA Armored Corps, son!
Space Corps!
Just what I thought! Just need Steve Carell and John Malkovich at the wheel.
@@MightyMezzo Man I wish that show were still going
Just when you thought being a astronaut couldn't get any cooler nasa says how about being a tank driving astronaut GOD BLESS AMERICA AND HOW BAD ASS IT REALLY IS LOL
No Son, I was in the war before I was at NASA. I still made rockets though.
had the pleasure of seeing this vehicle when i was at cape Canaveral in 2018.
ur pfp actually got me 😂😂
@@michaelburton2253
Your topics never cease to amaze me. Thank you.
Agreed tenfold!!
when is the Palestine special?
What's amazing is that as ubiquitous as the M113 was and made in the thousands, it was never given even a nickname other than "APC" or "track"
The "Gavin" lol
Weren't some left in the jungles of Vietnam?
Bucket in Australian use.
@@Sshooter444lol and the winged variant, the "Aero-Gavin"
We just referred to them as one one threes, nickname would've been cool but seems like they didn't name apc's until the Bradley's.
The paint job and numbering on those tracks is absolutely Thunderbirds are Go!
02:33 that was the final time the slidewire baskets were released, when the fixed service structure was dismantled following the end of the shuttle program
The structure that replaced it on Pad 39B has a similar system installed. It'll be used for the Space Launch System rocket with the Orion capsule.
The Pad 39A tower, which remains from the Shuttle era and Apollo(?), still has the slide wire and baskets. I've seen the "final release video" that you have but the system on Pad 39A was refurbished. The baskets might be new but the system and landing area look the same. Search for "Danger on the SpaceX launch pad! Emergency egress rehearsed".
Sometime around 1986 as a contractor I did the demolition on Pat 39B of the emergency escape system. I do not know any history on 39A however 39A currently has a emergency escape system exactly like depicted in the video. I believe that is actually the emergency escape system in operation by SpaceX. On a sidenote while I was demoing 39B some of the engineers that originally developed it came out to see our progress. They pointed out one of the environmental hazards which was a very large alligator and also pointed out that the emergency escape system according to their calculations was merely for press purposes and that if they were to be able to get in the cages and down the wire that a blast from the pad would drive them 9 feet in the ground.
This episode gets the Coolest History of the Year award! My two little boys just loved it! Thank you Professor Felton!
The more obscure the existence of an armored corps, the more likely that my favorite war historian will educate me about its history! Awesome! 😎
Another jewel in the "Crown of Dicovery", excellent.
There has been successful examples of launch escape system saving lives of crew, like in the 1983 fire on launch pad at Baikonur, when the system separated and dragged away a Soyuz descent capsule from a burning rocket before it exploded, saving the lives of two cosmonauts.
The Soviet system for Uri Gargarin was also interesting. He had an ejector seat, but on the launchpad the ejector wouldnr have lifted him high enough for the parachute. So instead there was a large net around the rocket.
There was rocket technology but a large net for safety!
I saw these 113's with their bright yellow paint on a tour at Kennedy Space center where thay take you right down by launch pad 39A. The tour guide was telling us about the emergency system and I said "Hey, that's a 113 over there!" Being an Army vet I drove one of these in Germany. I didn't know anything about the zip lines. Good video!
Man, that zip-line looks scary, though it's better than nothing. Thanks for sharing how this NASA escape system works.
In the Men In Black 3 the zip line went all the way to the beach!! 😛
But if you are an adrenalin junky, then this is probably to tame.
Looks fun!
@@madtrucker0983 It's just that first time like with a roller coaster that's scary.
@@WAL_DC-6B Yep
Using the M113 makes a lot of sense - there are PLENTY of spare parts out there, even after 50+ years. Adding on the stored oxygen also makes a lot of sense - being able to move even a few hundred feet at that crucial moment will absolutely save lives.
"all NASA crews enjoyed the APC driving test course "
Ha! Who wouldn't?? 😁
Yes they are fun to drive.
Working on them all the time sux.
No doubt, Mark is the best.
I'm quite stunned by the depth of variety of subject matter you bring us all.
I hope you never stop, its a weekly highlight
I remember first learning of this in the 1980s. I had completely forgotten about it until now.
What a lovely paint job on that XHRV-1! really refreshing to see those classic vehicles in another colour scheme.
I kinda wanna ride the Zipline. The idea of the wicked whiplash that comes with the sudden stop though...
But it wasn't sudden.
Loving that pic of the M577 next to Hanger One at Moffet!
During deployment for Desert Shied and Storm we were in battery position when a long line of M113s came through with one flying the French tricolor. It was a Foreign Legion. I'll never forget that.
EXCELLENT presentation Dr. Felton!
I watch your videos every day, I'm a disabled retired veteran, keep up the good work, I also share your videos with individuals I served with, and current military members I'm related to, 👍
I've been in one of these. A farmer and friend had one that he bought surplus. He used it as a form of tractor and to haul things about his cattle farm.
I am such a fossil I once rode an M113 from Fort Ord (now defunct) to Fort Hunter Liggett in CA for a training exercise in 1983. The good doctor will be happy to know the Brits were there as well.
The old rifle ranges on the west side of 101 are now a State Park. There is a nice walking trail there.
@@clearsmashdrop5829do you mean on the West side of Coastal Hwy 1? If so, yes there are bike and hiking trails. Some good surf fishing on the beach as well.
This video instantly brought me back to January 1967. Another blue ribbon gem. Many thanks Dr. Felton.
Space Cowboys had a scene with parachuting out of the Space Shuttle & Men in Black 3 had a scene with the Escape Zipline. It was good to see a video on this. Thanks Mark!
NASA: Need Armored Stuff Always
NASA = NEED ANOTHER SEVEN ASTRONAUTS... or the other joke that went around after the Challenger disaster: Heard about the astronaut with blue eyes? One blew this way, one blew that that way...
Yeah, we have a wicked sense of humour in South Africa, it's how we cope here.
I recall watching the launch live on tv and being horrified as a result. A week later I was telling jokes about it.
In 1985 or '86, a double decker bus full of students from Voorentoe High School plunged off the Westdene River bridge into the water. 42 students died.
Voorentoe is Afrikaans for Forward... we joked the school would change it's name to Ondertoe, meaning downwards.
Funnily enough, my double decker bus also passed over a river on the way to school, so the joke didn't seem that funny when I realised this, and I stopped telling it.
Years later, in 1989, I would meet a brother of one of the victims while doing my National Service.
He was in the second bus, following a few minutes behind the first bus...
Bloemfontein had suffered severe flooding the previous year, 1988, and the soldiers from Tempe base had been sent to help the victims... two, I think, drowned trying to rescue helpless civilians, so we were warned that if flooding occured again, the SADF would send troops out again... my new friend was deeply disturbed by this warning.
A few days later he disappeared from our ranks without warning.
He'd been sent home, suffering from post traumatic shock.
No, I did NOT tell him the joke.
Never get tied of watching the space shuttle take off.
The Saturn 5 ascending was way, way better looking. The Shuttle looked like a locomotive going up sideways.
😎
Watching was okay, but feeling it was awesome. I was about three miles away during shuttle launches and when the shockwave from the SRB's rolled over you, your clothes actually fluttered. You could feel it right to your core. I can't help but wonder what the Starship would feel like today at that distance.
Space shuttle Columbia did have two ejection seats installed during its first spaceflights, but they could be used only at subsonic speeds and were eventually removed. When Columbia broke up at re-entry, even if they would have remained it's almost certain that crew members couldn't have successfully ejected using them because of the speed and altitude.
Mark also misspoke when he said abort rockets were used since the late 1960s, he must have meant the early 1960s. Mercury had them. There was a gap during the Gemini years,, I'm sure you're aware those capsules had ejection seats. There was too great a chance the astronauts would drift down into the fireball, though, if their chutes even opened quickly enough before they hit the ground.
@@donjones4719 Thanks. Yes, I am, and I recall distrust towards whether they would actually fire as intended if needed.
🤔 That zip line has commercial possibilities!
Always a great day for a mark Felton video
Absolutely fascinating, Dr. Felton. Thank you.
*raises hand*
Actually, a point of order, Mark - the shuttle _Columbia_ did have an ejection system for its first few flights. If you look at her first launches, you can see the overhead windows are oddly thicker looking as this was to account for the explosives to shattered them on activation. This was for the Pilot and Commander only and was disabled after STS-5 by removing the rocket motors from the seats though everything else remained. For her next flights, this was how she flew with the front two seats disabled but overhead explosives remaining in place. She returned to factory in Palmdale prior to STS-61C to have this replaced and removed to turn her into a standard shuttle after her test missions were complete.
Oddly enough, and what should be noted, they kept certain test program articles onboard such as back up data recorders which allowed them to get the information after the _Columbia_ loss in 2003
Having driven and used both types. The M-113 series is superior to the MRAP with the exception of land mine resistance, but not many to be found on a NASA site anyways. It's three greatest advantages are being tracked with a much lower ground pressure they don't get stuck, faster/easier to enter with injured and being amphibious there is no route denied to the M-113.
Thanks for another video mark. Looking forward to more vintage space videos
This was absolutely fascinating! Thank you Dr. Felton!
Thank you for sharing!
Worked on these in the U.S. Army as a 63T in the 90's
I visited KSC about a month ago. I saw one of the those yellow APC's outside the vehicle assemby building
This is by far the best history Channel Ive encountered
I studies the NASA shuttle disasters at University a long time ago. As I recall the Shuttle escape systems were more for show than functionally useful. The Shuttle disaster were man made - by managers and politicians not the good technical people at NASA. The following book from Diane Vaughn called 'The Challenger Launch Decision' makes an interesting read. Nice article Mark,
The Caiman is a good choice. Fun to drive too.
Thank you. You never disappoint
That is the coolest zip line ever!
I was an M113 "track" driver while serving in the 2nd Armored Division 1975-1976. Loved driving it.
Gotta love the m113 so reliable
“Low speed, high drag” should be their motto
That’s one I did not know. Thanks Mark!
As a cavalry scout I spent a lot of time driving or riding in a 113, they are a lot of fun to drive, super reliable, outstanding off road capability.
I knew about the zip line escape system, but had never seen video footage of it or heard the entire plan until now. I also had never heard about NASA’s M-113 fleet, although I had ridden in 113s as part of my Army National Guard training. Once again, you show us historical wonders, Mark! Thank you!
Again you enlighten us with something a majority of people never knew Dr Felton!!
Fascinating Dr Felton
Anytime of the day is a good time for a Mark Felton video
THANK YOU. I live in Florida surrounded by 3 space bases (NASA, Space Force and Space Force) and I had never seen these APCs.
While I knew about the zippiness, I didn't know anything about the armored vehicles! Very interesting! NASA also had the STS-3XX missions which were to be flown in case a space shuttle needed to be rescued, it was devised after the Columbia incident.
Thank you for doing these videos. I always learn something new.
I love seeing surplus military equipment being reused.
It wasn't surplus - bought new by NASA
It wasn't surplus. I wasn't "reused". It was ordered and bought straight from the manufacturer by NASA.
Ooooh! Giz a go ! Fantastic! Cheers mark!
I hope those 113s were saved for historical use.
Such quality citations
I *LOVE* the suit crew ports on the Haz-Mat vehicle! That's wonderfull!
M113 .. always liked these tough tracked boxes. Interesting vid again 👍
Driving APC's is so much fun. If you can afford an AFV driving experience day, just do it. My kids treated me to it and oh boy it was amazing.
Yet another fascinating piece from Dr Felton. It appears NASA thought of everything.
Thanks Dr. Felton!
Always one
I wouldn't want to try and board that MRAP with full gear on in a hurry. The M113 has that nice ramp lower to the ground.
If you are above average height. Getting into a 113 was the source of several headaches. The ceiling is low.
I have no idea where your ideas are coming from, but this is fantastic subject Mark!
Thank you!
I work with the current system and support the crewed launches, Not going to lie I never expected to see something from my life on this channel!
Brilliant. Thanks.
The 1960s photo of the Apollo era APC, with the big number 3 on the side, looks as if it came straight from a Gerry Anderson show!
Thanks!
Well, this wasn't the episode I was expecting from Mr Felton, but I was very pleasantly surprised and learned about things I never knew before.
I drove an m577 when i was in the Army. It was used as a command vehicle for MLRS fire direction control. Extremely fun to drive, especially in the sand
Thank you.
Another application of the M113. Thank you Dr. Felton. Great video.
One of your best, Mark! As an Apollo super-freak, I'm fascinated by new info on the program. And as a fan of all thing armored; you combined your interests with mine! Fascinating episode!!!!
Excellent stuff Mark 👍 thanks
An outstanding video of yours as always. Thank you for sharing this information. God bless 🙏
That was very interesting Mark. Thank you.
Fascinating!
Who knew? Dr Felton knew. Wow. Thanks.
Being an Army engineer I can attest that driving a 113 is a lot of fun.
LOL. I have done a number of zip line in the Army... what fun. I've also driven 113s easily over 1000 miles ( All together ) and most of the113 varents. This brought back a lot of memories. Thanks Doc.
That would be a better ride than most others in Disney or Universal!
I've read about those ziplines back during the Apollo missions, but it's really cool to see them go!
Is versatile and easy to maintain a tracked vehicle to be produced by this or any other nation in the history of track vehicles. Simply superb.
The good old M113. It and its brother from another mother, the MT-LB deserve a whole video on everything they are able to do despite being a tin can with an engine.
Kennedy Space center really missed an opportunity to open up APC and zipline rides. Visiting in elementary school would have been even more memorable!
Fascinating as ever😎
This was excellent Dr Felton, utterly amazing. Looks a great ride just for fun tho.
In the early '80's I worked in document reproduction with the Defence Dept. in Australia. I remember printing plans for the local variant of the APC and was told that during the Vietnam conflict, extra plating was added to the floor to protect against mines.