Mating Airlocks to Cargo Hatches

[MasterGwydion]

If the containers are non-pressurized, then they are also not climate-controlled. The cargo must be able to withstand temperatures of -270 degrees C to +10 degrees C. Non-pressurized containers also offer no protection from radiation. What effect does radiation have on your cargo? Also, contaminants can easily enter containers that are not sealed. How about atmospheric pressure? Anything that you are shipping will be subject to changing pressures, so anything that comes in a sealed bag or other sealed container has a good chance of either exploding or deforming to the point of failure.

Seems easier for the game to make the default containers protected against all of that.

 

[Terry Mixon]

If the containers are non-pressurized, then they are also not climate-controlled. The cargo must be able to withstand temperatures of -270 degrees C to +10 degrees C. Non-pressurized containers also offer no protection from radiation. What effect does radiation have on your cargo? Also, contaminants can easily enter containers that are not sealed. How about atmospheric pressure? Anything that you are shipping will be subject to changing pressures, so anything that comes in a sealed bag or other sealed container has a good chance of either exploding or deforming to the point of failure.

Seems easier for the game to make the default containers protected against all of that.

If you pay the additional cost for those containers, sure. Or just keep the hold pressurized.

 

[Fluffy Bunny Feet]

For interstellar shipping pressurized containers are an issue when the origin and destination have significantly different atmospheric pressures. So unless it is NECESSARY to be pressurized it won't be.

Containers can be crushed when the outside pressure is too high and burst when they aren't. Fasteners may be made much tighter or much loser on the container depending on whether the higher pressure is inside or out. Some containers would be extremely difficult thereby to open (and risk hatches etc opening violently and harming people/equipment. Loose ones may open unexpectedly.

By default cargo bays should be pressurized with equipment to equalize with the exterior atmosphere (which is why the manuals say cargo bays can function as giant airlocks). Cargoes that don't need atmosphere and/or temperature controls can be carried external in jump nets or unpressurized (cheap) pods.