Atmospheric Decompressor

[Strabo]

ATMOSPHERIC DECOMPRESSOR​

Affiliation:

Open Market


Manufacturer:

Duros Modification Systems


Type:

Ship Modification - Air Decompressor
Power Supply:

Powered by ship generator


Sensors:

Air pressure sensor


Size:

4 cubic meter tank, 100 meters of plastoid hosing running throughout ship.


Composition:

Durasteel tank with plastoid hoses running across ship. Air pressure gauge on tank.

DESCRIPTION​

The Atmospheric Decompressor is a ship modification manufactured by Duros Modification Systems, an after market firm notorious for the dubious nature of its tech. The device is marketed as a way to drain air from a cargo bay, but most who install such a device hook it up to the entire cabin of the ship, as a way to “space” the interior of the vehicle and asphyxiate those not prepared with a breathing apparatus equipped. The tank is filled with as much pressurized air as possible from the cabin by a powerful pump, in order to re-aerate the interior later. Once full all excess air is vented into space by the same pump. The process takes roughly 5 minutes to reach dangerous levels of vacuum in a standard light freighter for the average human. It takes roughly ten minutes for the air to be returned to a healthy amount within the cabin. These times vary by ship size and population, and significantly large ship would require multiple devices. It cannot cause the explosive decompression that many assume it can, it simply rapidly drains atmosphere.

LEGALITY​

Not Illegal, but considerably morally questionable. It is obviously designed to rapidly "space" the inside of a ship, regardless of being marketed as a way of draining air from cargo space. It often takes a grey market mechanic to install such a device.

INTENT​

I created a Givin character, and one of this race’s defining features is being able to survive in a vacuum. It works well for Edvar, but I imagine other characters could find good if different use with it. Therefore I imagined this system as a defense mechanism for his ship or anyone who has the foresight to put on a breath mask before dealing with intruders with it. I imagined the company Duros Modification Systems to be a manufacturer, but I have no intention to profit from this tech as my characters are not associated with the company. I’m not sure if something similar has been created, but I am aware of players apparently spacing intruders, this is simply a way to do so without having the entire cargo bay be jettisoned into space.

ADVANCED TECH​

YES. Almost no ships come with this equipment stock, and it can be hard to find a mechanic willing to equip a ship with such a dangerous system. It is marketed as a way to drain air from a cargo bay, but such a feature is unnecessary, and it always comes equipped with enough pipe to asphyxiate the entire cabin. Therefore one usually much find a less than legal mechanic to install it or do so themselves.

 

[AutoFox]

Okay, so I have to ask. On a spacecraft, what advantage does this have over just opening a valve to vent the atmosphere in a room to space? You don't need special equipment for that, although I imagine most shipboard safety systems would prevent you from doing so.

If I were you, I would just make a safety bypass that let you do that instead.

 

[AutoFox]

As there has been no reply to my inquiry in several weeks, this submission is hereby archived.