As for pressure...
(From memory of a Nuclear Weapons and their Effects course module many years ago)
When a nuclear warhead detonates in the Earth's atmosphere, about half the released energy is converted into air blast, which radiates out spherically, initially at supersonic speeds, but rapidly slowing down, knocking down lampposts, trees, buildings et.c. Subsequent negative-pressure waves, and Mach (reflected interference overpressure) waves also add to the jollity. About one-third of the energy is released as thermal radiation (heat flash) and the rest as visible light, X-rays, particle ('prompt') radiation, EMP & so forth.
If the burst occurs near to/on the ground, a significant proportion of the energy goes into digging a crater, and a much smaller amount into irradiating debris from the ground (aka 'fallout').
The exact proportions also vary with the design and size (yield) of the device - smaller weapons tend produce more prompt radiation proportionate to air blast, for example - the infamous 'Neutron Bomb' makes use of this effect.
In space there is of course no air blast, and most of that energy goes into heat flash instead. This causes damage by explosive vapourisation of exposed surfaces, thermal shock and melting - the radiation *does* exert direct physical pressure, but its effects are negligible.
Needless to say, the prompt radiation won't do a spaceships' crew any good, and the EMP may have interesting effects on her electronics.
(From memory of a Nuclear Weapons and their Effects course module many years ago)
When a nuclear warhead detonates in the Earth's atmosphere, about half the released energy is converted into air blast, which radiates out spherically, initially at supersonic speeds, but rapidly slowing down, knocking down lampposts, trees, buildings et.c. Subsequent negative-pressure waves, and Mach (reflected interference overpressure) waves also add to the jollity. About one-third of the energy is released as thermal radiation (heat flash) and the rest as visible light, X-rays, particle ('prompt') radiation, EMP & so forth.
If the burst occurs near to/on the ground, a significant proportion of the energy goes into digging a crater, and a much smaller amount into irradiating debris from the ground (aka 'fallout').
The exact proportions also vary with the design and size (yield) of the device - smaller weapons tend produce more prompt radiation proportionate to air blast, for example - the infamous 'Neutron Bomb' makes use of this effect.
In space there is of course no air blast, and most of that energy goes into heat flash instead. This causes damage by explosive vapourisation of exposed surfaces, thermal shock and melting - the radiation *does* exert direct physical pressure, but its effects are negligible.
Needless to say, the prompt radiation won't do a spaceships' crew any good, and the EMP may have interesting effects on her electronics.
