Meanwhile, Boeing and United Launch Alliance (ULA) recently discovered a new use for the zip lines: Emergency egress systems for astronauts. While passengers of the CST-100 Starliner already have an emergency procedure for after the rocket's engines have fired up (standard ejection system that parachutes them safely away), NASA requires there also be a solution for before the engines are lit. The modified zip lines would be mounted on the crew access tower so that astronauts can navigate to the exit hatch and control the brake-controlled handles by touch alone.

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