The Cryogenic Pod (also: Cryo Pod or Cryonic Pod) is a single-occupant life-support device engineered to place a human subject into a state of cryogenic suspension, halting biological activity for extended periods. Each pod is a self-contained system equipped with advanced freezing and revival mechanisms, environmental monitoring, and life-support systems.

Central to its operation is an array of precision temperature control units, capable of maintaining conditions within a tolerance of less than 0.1°C. Even minor deviations could prove fatal, as the biological integrity of the sleeper depends on stable thermal regulation.

To mitigate the destructive effects of intracellular ice crystal formation, which can rupture cell membranes, the pod initiates a controlled dehydration protocol. This process reduces the subject's body water content to a safe threshold during freezing and carefully rehydrates them during revival, ensuring cellular integrity is preserved.

Cryosuspension Protocol and Storage

The cryosleep induction process spans approximately two weeks, during which the subject is gradually brought into metabolic stasis. Once fully stabilised, pods are transferred into Rack Modules, large storage units capable of housing 100 Cryo Pods. Within each module, pods are isolated from one another by a thermally buffered fluid, designed to provide passive life support in the event of a complete system failure.

This buffer fluid maintains sub-zero temperatures autonomously for up to six months, allowing ground or orbital maintenance teams a critical window to restore power or extract survivors.

Entry into cryogenic suspension is strictly regulated. Subjects must fall within an optimal physiological window, typically between ages 17 and 50, with no underlying chronic or degenerative conditions. Individuals outside these parameters are at significantly increased risk and are therefore ineligible for participation in missions involving cryosleep, such as The Olympus Program.

Power Source and Materials

Cryo Pods are powered by Unobtainium, a hyper-efficient, rare-earth compound initially discovered in meteoroid fragments on Earth's moon and Mars. Unobtainium exhibits extraordinary properties in energy conduction and thermal regulation, making it an ideal power source for long-duration cryogenic systems. Despite the existence of potential substitutes, RDA conglomerate interests have suppressed alternative energy research on Earth, securing monopolistic control over Unobtainium mining and distribution.

Rack Modules and Orbital Deployment

The Rack Module is a modular storage unit designed jointly by NASA and SpaceX for the mass transport of cryogenically frozen individuals. Each unit holds 100 Cryo Pods, suspended in buffer fluid, and is engineered for easy integration into orbital infrastructure.

Over 6,000 Rack Modules were manufactured by the Kushan Assembly, each loaded with pods retrieved from secure underground cryo-vaults. Once loaded, the modules were launched into orbit via Heavy Lifter Units, a massive launch platform designed for bulk payload delivery.

In orbit, Rack Modules are inserted into Cryo Trays, each capable of containing 1,000 modules (i.e., 100,000 cryo-suspended individuals). These trays are then secured within interstellar vessels bound for long-range colonisation or exploration missions.