NASA puts Crew-13's launch-pad escape in the hands of the 11-times-recalled Cybertruck

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Facepalm: If you're an astronaut sitting in a rocket waiting to blast into space, you'd want the reassurance of knowing that a sturdy and reliable vehicle will carry you to safety should the launch encounter problems. This task is usually performed by a heavily armored military personnel carrier, but for the upcoming SpaceX Crew-13 mission, rescue duties will be carried out by the Cybertruck, a vehicle that has been subject to 11 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Making a hasty exit away from the launch pad should something go wrong is important, obviously, but given the potentially destructive power of a rocket, the vehicle coming to astronauts' aid also needs to be sturdy.

NASA uses Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles (MRAP) in this role. The agency previously said these vehicles' armor is so thick that each door weighs 600 pounds, giving them the sound and feel of a bank vault. This means that even if they aren't moving, they can still act as a bunker.