Science Fiction
Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Latest By
Category:
Armor
Artificial
Intelligence
Biology
Clothing
Communication
Computers
Culture
Data Storage
Displays
Engineering
Entertainment
Food
Input Devices
Lifestyle
Living Space
Manufacturing
Material
Media
Medical
Miscellaneous
Robotics
Security
Space Tech
Spacecraft
Surveillance
Transportation
Travel
Vehicle
Virtual
Person
Warfare
Weapon
Work
"What we're doing pop culturally is like burning the rain forest. The biodiversity of pop culture is really, really in danger."
- William Gibson
 |
| Evacuating Arms | ||
| Empty out the contents of an airlock exposed to space. |
If you wanted to make sure that all the trash in the airlock would be successfully dumped into space, you'll need some way to clear out the compartment.
| The inner valve of the airlock clanged open. “Good-by, my young friend!” said Corad mockingly, as the squad of Venusians thrust the youth into the dividing compartment. “And may the devils of space find you good company!” The air-tight metal panel rang hollowly like a coffin lid as it closed upon Trilbey, shutting the derisive chatter of voices and the hum of busy machinery from his ears with terrifying abruptness. Then the outer door of the airlock opened, and the steel evacuating arms, used to cast off sacks and bundles of refuse, slid out of their concealing sockets in the wall, clutched him and thrust him forth. |
| Technovelgy from Space Flotsam,
by Raymond Z. Gallun. Published by Astounding Science Fiction in 1934 Additional resources -
|
Now, read Robert Heinlein's treatment of this subject in Misfit (1939). A bunch of new recruits had thrown up all over each other the first time they were exposed to zero gee:
At the starboard spacelock, the kits were put in first, the inner door closed, and the outer opened. When the inner door was opened the kits were gone — blown out into space by the escaping air.
Pinkie addressed McCoy, “Do we have to throw away our dirty clothes, too?”
“Huh uh. We’ll just give them a dose of vacuum. Take ’em into the lock and stop ’em to those hooks on the bulkheads. Tie ’em tight.”
This time the lock was left closed for about five minutes. When the lock was opened the garments were bone dry — all the moisture boiled out by the vacuum of space. All that remained was a sterile powdery residue.
McCoy viewed them with approval. “They’ll do. Take them back to the compartment. Then brush them — hard — in front of the exhaust blowers.”
McCoy looked it over, and spoke, “Now peel off them dirty duds, and change your kits. Three or four of you bring everything along to the starboard lock.”
Comment/Join this discussion ( 0 ) | RSS/XML | Blog This |
Additional
resources:
More Ideas
and Technology from Space Flotsam
More Ideas
and Technology by Raymond Z. Gallun
Tech news articles related to Space Flotsam
Tech news articles related to works by Raymond Z. Gallun
| Who Knows What Might Be Found When Visiting A Metal Asteroid? |
| StoryFile To Help William Shatner Become Landru |
| DNA Controls Swarms Of Molecular Robots |
Want to Contribute an
Item?
It's easy:
Get the name of the item, a
quote, the book's name and the author's name, and Add
it here.
| <Previous | Next> |
|
|
|
Technovelgy (that's tech-novel-gee!) is devoted to the creative science inventions and ideas of sf authors. Look for the Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary, the Science Fiction Invention Timeline, or see what's New.
|
Science Fiction
Timeline
1600-1899
1900-1939
1940's 1950's
1960's 1970's
1980's 1990's
2000's 2010's
'BY PUSHING AGAINST THE LITTLE MARTIAN MOON WITH OUR ROCKET SHIP, WE HAD LESSENED THE CENTRIFUGAL SPEED THAT HELD IT BALANCED IN THE SKY.'
'... he had tightened the chest to gain maximum pumping action from the motion of breathing.'
'...a prayer wheel swung into view and began spinning at a furious pace.'
'And are all the people willing to be governed by a machine?'
