Stasis pod

Stasis pods were pods in which a living being could be kept in suspended animation.

Iytean stasis pods appeared as "great, spherical shell[s] of dull grey metal, taller than a man and perfectly round". (GAME: ) Having been developed some time prior to the Iyteans' near-extinction in 3000 BC, they were considered "advanced" by the Time Lords, being able to "suspend time almost completely" — actully slowing it down for the occupant at a rate of 100,000:1. (GAME: ) Six such stasis pods were present on the Iytean starship discovered in 1880s London by Rollo and his companions, having been used to transport six Iytean criminals back to their home planet. (GAME: )

Stasis pods which could keep humans in suspended animation for limited periods of time were the one of two key discoveries that made humanity's early period of galactic expansion possible, with hyperdrive being the other. During the Cyberon War, cruisers like The Demeter still had large cryogenic chambers lined with stasis pods, so that non-essential crew could sleep through long journeys. During The Demeter 's ill-fated journey from Alpha Centauri to Mars, the head of Dracula was also kept in one. (AUDIO: Curse of the Cyberons)