Defiant class escape pod

From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.

The Defiant-class escape pod was a type of escape pod designed for use aboard Defiant- and Intrepid-class starships in the late 24th century. In the event of a ship-wide catastrophe, the pods could be launched as a last resort to save the crew. Once deployed, the pods were vulnerable to attack or becoming engulfed in the destruction of the parent ship. As in other types of Starfleet escape craft, the pods were equipped with thrusters, providing some chance of fleeing the field of combat. However, without a warp drive, survivors were reliant on larger ships for ultimate rescue.

There appears to be at least one phaser strip on the outer hull of the pod.

Use aboard Defiant-class starships

In 2374, following a disastrous attack on a Jem'Hadar battleship, the crew of the USS Valiant used these pods to escape the ship. (DS9: "Valiant") A year later, escape pods were used to flee a second Defiant-class starship, the prototype USS Defiant, upon its destruction at the hands of the Breen. (DS9: "The Changing Face of Evil")

Aboard Defiant-class starships, the pods were launched from specialized bays beneath retractable sections of hull plating. These sections were spaced about the ship, providing access for as many crew members as possible.

Background

According to the Deep Space Nine Technical Manual, the USS Defiant carried 26 of these pods, which were six-person craft capable of sustaining survivors for up to eight months. Eight-person versions were also said to exist, although it is unclear whether these were supposed to have been seen on screen. Both types were equipped with impulse microthrusters and emergency subspace comm systems.

Apocrypha

In the DS9-based computer game The Fallen, escape pods of this type were used aboard the Miranda-class USS Ulysses. They were also seen used aboard another Miranda-class vessel, USS Leonov, in the 2003 Ships of the Line calendar. Neither of these sources is considered canon.