Cryo sleep

Cryonic stasis, or 'cryo sleep', uses principles of cryonics to put the human body into a hibernation-like state for long distance travel.

Typical implementations involve single person facilities variable known as cryopods, cryotubes, stasis lockers, etc.

Basic systems are quite common, a familiar sight on any spacecraft with ranges beyond simple orbital shuttles. These systems provide little in the way of extra features. More advanced facilities may include options to occupy the user during hibernation, or provide limited access to ship data and controls, or other systems tailored to the specific needs of the users. Such systems utilize the ships computer and a series of non-invasive neural links to interact with the users brain directly.

Very small ships may have cryo systems pulling double duty as general crew berths.

Larger ships may forgo cryo facilities altogether, although some maintain systems for emergency use. Some larger ships utilize large centralized cryobays with many pods, and rotate crews in stasis, depending on mission profile.

Cryo suspension systems are generally considered to be quite safe, although there have been recorded instances of problems arising from particularly long time periods spent in suspension. Some issues have also arisen with neural interfaces, particularly when active users are engaged during a critical systems failure. Failure to operate systems properly may cause freezer burn. Re-awakening may involve respiratory complications, particularly in cases of emergency revival where the awakening procedure is hastened.