Can they be launched from the ground. I suppose it would be handy for capital-class transports or large freighters, but only if it was loaded from the ground.
Well, if you took it to the ground, sure, you could load in on the ground. However, not sure any of the ships big enough to carry it, that can carry it, can actually land anyway.
You can load it in space. Most would use it as stated above as larger escape pods.
Cargo containers were added to the game in order to hold RMs from space station recycling. They are created in space, so they don't need to be lifted from the ground.
Am I the only one who is horrified by the expense of these over sized escape pods??? I mean they can hold tons of stuff, but that is it. Its like buying a personal storage unit for $10M.
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One foot in the grave. Another planted on your throat.