# How long would a submarine crew survive in outer space? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 13, 2008, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-a-submarine-crew-survive-in-outer-space/467654 "2008-10-13T00:53:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-a-submarine-crew-survive-in-outer-space/467654/21 "2008-10-13T16:53:07Z")
Remember that the pressure is on the outside compressing in when diving. It would be the opposite in outer space. That said one atmosphere of pressure isn’t that difficult to keep in. Their have been a couple stories that deal with using subs in outer space. In a different story one author goes into why space ships used submarine airlocks. It has been pondered before. ---
**Author:** ![Fly\_Pusher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Fly\_Pusher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fly_Pusher)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-a-submarine-crew-survive-in-outer-space/467654/22 "2008-10-13T17:03:53Z")
Not much to add to the topic of discussion, but funnily enough, this exact idea was used in John Ringo’s [Vorpal Blade](http://www.webscription.net/p-613-vorpal-blade.aspx), where an old Ohio class sub was converted into a space ship, albeit with help from alien technology. ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-a-submarine-crew-survive-in-outer-space/467654/23 "2008-10-13T17:09:10Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Gamma rays energetic enough to cause pair production are pretty darned rare, but high-energy protons that can cascade to other particles are relatively common. So the point remains, that thick shielding isn’t necessarily your best bet. I keep forgetting that charged particles can fly far and fast _in vacuum_. :smack: Thanks for the correction, **Chronos**! ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-a-submarine-crew-survive-in-outer-space/467654/24 "2008-10-13T17:54:15Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Even after you solve all these initial technical problems, the question remains whether the vessel can make it to the planet Iscandar within a year’s time. Torpedo tubes are handy for mounting wave motion guns. ---
**Author:** ![Kuboydal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecb155/32.png) [@Kuboydal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kuboydal)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-a-submarine-crew-survive-in-outer-space/467654/25 "2008-10-13T18:41:36Z")
I think they should use battleships. Japanese battleships. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2008, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-a-submarine-crew-survive-in-outer-space/467654/26 "2008-10-13T18:45:41Z")
What about the aspect of a crew operating as a crew? It seems to me that a submarine crew, used to long periods of togetherness in tight, cramped, conditions, would be much more suitable for crewing a spaceship than a group of airforce pilots. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-would-a-submarine-crew-survive-in-outer-space/467654.md?page=1)