Decompression in Space

Muaadeeb · 01-08-2010, 07:58 PM

In the game I am running my player's starship is currently under assult. The air locks have been blown and an enemy vessel has been sending troops through a connection duct.

If the duct gets blown are there any rules which give an example of the effects of decompression? I know in the movies often people get sucked out of the space ship and are lost in space. What about effects of fatigue as oxygen is stripped from the living spaces?

How far would the "vaccum sucking" force extend into the ship? What would be a fair method of determining if someone could hold onto a bulkhead versus losing a grip and being tossed in to the inforgiving grips of cold space.

Thank you.

David Johnston2 · 01-08-2010, 08:06 PM

If you want a realistic answer, it would be that the only thing decompression into space would produce is a strong but far from dangerous breeze. There simply isn't enough mass in a spaceship's atmosphere to knock people over.

Muaadeeb · 01-08-2010, 08:08 PM

Ok..so Hollywood...was just that then....Hollywood?

Hmmm....If so, then I think I will play up the fears of my players..then surprise them with a non-event....

Crakkerjakk · 01-08-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muaadeeb

Ok..so Hollywood...was just that then....Hollywood?

Hmmm....If so, then I think I will play up the fears of my players..then surprise them with a non-event....

A small hole will have a lot of pressure near it, but it won't be enough to do anything to stuff that's not right next to it.

Agemegos · 01-08-2010, 08:24 PM

http://www.geoffreylandis.com/vacuum.html

MKMcArtor · 01-08-2010, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muaadeeb

Ok..so Hollywood...was just that then....Hollywood?

Hmmm....If so, then I think I will play up the fears of my players..then surprise them with a non-event....

Yeah. Like cars exploding when they crash and other Hollywoodisms, it's just a matter of making something look really cool, reality not-withstanding.

~~combatmedic~~ · 01-08-2010, 11:03 PM

Go 'slap a patch' on the hole. I would imagine emergency repair kits will be located in many handy spots, throughout the ship. Self-sealing bulkheads, astromech driods, and Lord knows what else might also be available.

David Johnston2 · 01-08-2010, 11:35 PM

Actually the airlock area will probably run out of air pretty quickly. The ship is likely to have pressure doors that keep the air loss from speading.

~~combatmedic~~ · 01-08-2010, 11:43 PM

Are the crew wearing spacesuits inside the ship? Just curious.

Flyndaran · 01-08-2010, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by combatmedic

Are the crew wearing spacesuits inside the ship? Just curious.

That would be the sensible action when attacked, in my opinion.
Like fishermen in the Bering Straite (sp) have drills to get into safety suits.
It might take more than a minute to rescue those slipping out of an airlock etc.

01-08-2010, 07:58 PM	#1
Muaadeeb Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Midwest, USA	Decompression in Space In the game I am running my player's starship is currently under assult. The air locks have been blown and an enemy vessel has been sending troops through a connection duct. If the duct gets blown are there any rules which give an example of the effects of decompression? I know in the movies often people get sucked out of the space ship and are lost in space. What about effects of fatigue as oxygen is stripped from the living spaces? How far would the "vaccum sucking" force extend into the ship? What would be a fair method of determining if someone could hold onto a bulkhead versus losing a grip and being tossed in to the inforgiving grips of cold space. Thank you. Last edited by Muaadeeb; 01-08-2010 at 08:09 PM.

01-08-2010, 08:06 PM	#2
David Johnston2 Join Date: Dec 2007	Re: Decompression in Space If you want a realistic answer, it would be that the only thing decompression into space would produce is a strong but far from dangerous breeze. There simply isn't enough mass in a spaceship's atmosphere to knock people over.

01-08-2010, 08:08 PM	#3
Muaadeeb Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Midwest, USA	Re: Decompression in Space Ok..so Hollywood...was just that then....Hollywood? Hmmm....If so, then I think I will play up the fears of my players..then surprise them with a non-event....

01-08-2010, 08:24 PM	#5
Agemegos Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oz	Re: Decompression in Space http://www.geoffreylandis.com/vacuum.html __________________ Decay is inherent in all composite things. Nod head. Get treat.

01-08-2010, 11:03 PM	#7
~~combatmedic~~ Banned Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: a crooked, creaky manse built on a blasted heath	Re: Decompression in Space Go 'slap a patch' on the hole. I would imagine emergency repair kits will be located in many handy spots, throughout the ship. Self-sealing bulkheads, astromech driods, and Lord knows what else might also be available.

01-08-2010, 11:35 PM	#8
David Johnston2 Join Date: Dec 2007	Re: Decompression in Space Actually the airlock area will probably run out of air pretty quickly. The ship is likely to have pressure doors that keep the air loss from speading. Last edited by David Johnston2; 01-08-2010 at 11:38 PM.

01-08-2010, 11:43 PM	#9
~~combatmedic~~ Banned Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: a crooked, creaky manse built on a blasted heath	Re: Decompression in Space Are the crew wearing spacesuits inside the ship? Just curious.