Lost in Space

[Badly Shaved Monkey]

I know it's an old favourite, but Star Trek: Enterprise just had Capt Archer being shot out into vacuum.

What's the definitive word on what happens when you get exposed to space vacuum? I know I've read various discussions, but I can't remember the authoritative answer.

 

[Just thinking]

The results depend (in the immerdiate short term) on what the pressure is from that which you are ejected. In other words, if the spacecraft has a normal atmosphere of 14.7 lbs./sq.in. (760 mm Hg), then the results might be catastrophic -- ruptured blood vessels in the eyes, nose, ears - etc. Immediate collapse of the lungs and other nasties. But, if you're in an environment of only 3 - 5 psi that's oxygen rich, it might be only minor momentary discomfort like that of Dave Bowman in 2001.

Long term -- you die. Sort of like freeze-drying.

 

[Soapy Sam]

Your trousers fall up and you die of embarassment. I imagine "space vacuum" is much like any other vacuum, except in free fall. (Depending on proximity to radiation sources). Surely somebody, somewhere has put someone in a vacuum chamber and taken notes?

(School science project anyone? Sigismund Arbuthnott, the mad, Mercurian maths master seems like an ideal test subject).

BSM- Are things quiet in vetworld these days? You seem to be pondering the mysteries of life lately.

 

[Mojo]

Long term -- you die.

Whether or not you get ejected into vacuum.

 

[TX50]

The short answer seems to be that you fall unconscious in about ten seconds and survive for about a minute and a half. You do not explode, your blood does not boil and your lungs do not collapse. People have been exposed to vacuum in accidents during space suit testing (for example) and survived exposure of about half a minute with no ill effects. The portrayal in "2001: A Space Odyssey" is entirely correct.

I cannot post URLs yet but Google "Explosive Decompression and Vacuum Exposure" for a site (by "Geoffrey Landis") with detailed information and references

 

[Cecil]

You have precisely 30 seconds before you die, so you have to hope that someone rescues you (at odds of 2 to the power of 276,709 to 1 against) before then.

Not very bloody likely.

 

[Badly Shaved Monkey]

I imagine "space vacuum" is much like any other vacuum, except in free fall.

Yeah, I thought of that as I wrote it, but decided to leave it because otherwise we would end up with a discussion about the size of a chamber and the power of vacuum pumps from helpful souls of an over-literal frame of mind.

BSM- Are things quiet in vetworld these days? You seem to be pondering the mysteries of life lately.

It's more the lack of woos here. I've given up posting at the woo boards themselves because their pigheaded stupidity is just too irritating. So, I visit them occasionally.

I seem to have inadvertently broken Kumarbot here so I've been mulling over other topics.

Lastly, if you do have a niggling little question, experience suggests that a thread on that subject often yields a good answer and also some interesting exchanges.

 

[emperorchaos]

You have precisely 30 seconds before you die, so you have to hope that someone rescues you (at odds of 2 to the power of 276,709 to 1 against) before then.

Not very bloody likely.

You beat me to it. I started reading this thread and I was going to go there.

I have an Infinite Improbability Drive in my car. Err... when I get a car... it will have one. Probably. Or... improbably.

 

[Badly Shaved Monkey]

I cannot post URLs yet but Google "Explosive Decompression and Vacuum Exposure" for a site (by "Geoffrey Landis") with detailed information and references

That'll do nicely. Thanks.