Opening a door on the ISS would rapidly depressurize the station
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refutedsupported
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Retrieved technical discussions and documentation support the understanding that opening the station to the vacuum of space would trigger a massive rapid depressurization event.
<div class="section abstract"><div class="htmlview paragraph">Detection and response to a rapid depressurization is executed by software on-board the International Space Station. The safety of the crew during a depress scenario is insured by the automatic software along with planned crew reactions. If time allows, the crew may attempt to find and isolate the leak. Improvements to response software and leak repair equipment are in development.</div></div>
# Can you vacuum out the ISS by opening the door?
Tags: iss, cleaning
- Score: 32
- Views: 8468
- Answers: 3
- Answered: yes
- Asked by: James Jenkins (27305 rep)
- Asked: 2017-03-01
- Edited: 2017-04-13
- Site: space
## Question
The International Space Station (ISS) has been occupied continuously since 2 November 2000. we know from a recent answer that it is cleaned weekly
In my home when winter is over, and we are doing spring cleaning we open all the doors and windows. Doing the same on the ISS would be a bit different, but does raise the question.
Can you open the doors and 'air out' the ISS? If so what would be the impact?
## Answers
### Answer by Nick T (score: 34 [ACCEPTED])
Because of boundary conditions, despite a massive "woosh" of air from rapid depressurization, the velocity of air near walls and other rigid surfaces approaches zero. The highest velocity of air flowing through the compartments would be where it's furthest away from the walls, and presumably anything that needs to be cleaned.
### Answer by Organic Marble (score: 20)
It would be extremely difficult to open the outer airlock hatch if the inner airlock hatch is open because the outer hatch opens
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