Not only did some 1960s engineers at General Electric think that this might work, but they did actual tests involving actual hardware. NASA and the USAF declined to pursue the project, for fairly obvious reasons.
Not only did some 1960s engineers at General Electric think that this might work, but they did actual tests involving actual hardware. NASA and the USAF declined to pursue the project, for fairly obvious reasons.
Honestly this doesn't sound that terrible as the equivalent of an emergency ejection seat.
Developed to the point of reliability it probably would be a nice option for a few things. Like space stations don't have room for much, but this is small and low enough mass to boost up a few and have stowed.
Imagine a medical emergency, no recovery rocket available or no time. Less an issue nowdays rockets are getting more numerous and cheaper but that wasn't a given. Your choices are die in space or probably live. The foam might even help stabilise any splinted limbs or whatever.
Shame on NASA for their cowardice!