Emergency launch bays have been designed for the emergency launching of transport shuttles, escape pods, and similar vessels. Emergency launch bays are often located near command stations and other such locations in an installation or on a ship. Emergency launch bays can have doors, hatches which can be jettisoned, or can be launch tubes which can lead from deep in the interior of a launching platform. These launch bays incorporate chemical-based propellants in their catapult systems, allowing for escape vehicles to be propelled from a launch platform in the event of a catastrophic system failure. Emergency launch bays are protected by forcefields at all times to prevent system damage. Emergency launch bays are frequently clearly labeled, in corridor signs, and include lighted directional indicators to route personnel to evacuation craft which have room for additional passengers.