This system was installed to protect the endangered manatee population that inhabits regions of the Banana River where the ships are based. The system also allows divers to work near the ship during operations at a greatly reduced risk. Improvements have been made to the ships since they first began service. The maximum complement is 24 persons. The typical Shuttle flight trajectory takes the vehicle away from the continental United States and over the Atlantic Ocean.
Power is provided by the combination of the orbiter's three main engines and the twin SRBs.
The boosters in use today are the largest solid propellant motors ever developed for space flight and the first to be used on a manned space vehicle. At approximately two minutes after the Space Shuttle lifts off from the launch pad, the twin SRBs have expended their fuel. The pilot parachute immediately deploys the drogue parachute which is attached to the top of the frustum, the cone-shaped structure at the forward end of the booster. This releases three main parachutes housed within the frustums. At approximately seven minutes after liftoff, the boosters will impact the Atlantic Ocean.