[DL] For FANTAPHAGE - Lost Colony type of question

[Shane.Mclean@t-online.de (Shane Mclean)]

Hey man,
            The general consensus on the Traveller list was that what I said
was correct enough for a non-scientist.  The most concise answer is copied
below.  Hope this helps.

        Shane

> Shane Mclean wrote:
> > Can any of you scientific-type guys or gals give a
> > better answer I can forward on to the DL list?

> Lewis Roberts wrote:
> I'd say you are correct.  The velocity of the air rushing out would depend
on
> the size of the hole.  A small hole would have a small velocity, while a
large
> hole would have a large velocity.  The larger the velocity the larger the
> force.  This wind will push things around in the ship as it leaves and
probably
> rip up the interior.  This is called explosive decompression.
>
> I can't remember if it was Traveller or a book I wrote, but in battle the
crew
> would don space suits and the air would be evacuated.  This eliminates the
> possibility of explosive decompression.