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Ask Science – Would a nuclear bomb be as destructive in outer space as in the atmosphere?

Ask Science – Would a nuclear bomb be as destructive in outer space as in the atmosphere?

Jun 18, 2012

Nope, the bulk of destruction from a Nuclear blast comes from the initial shockwave and the cavitation caused by the blast. In a vacuum the energy from the blast would dissipate rapidly as the inverse square law of radiation dictates. So after a kilometer, it would be half as strong. After 2 kilometers it would be 1/4 as strong, after 3 kilometers, it would be 1/9 as strong and so on.

However, you would still get a monstrous dose of radiation close to the blast site, and the EMP caused by the fission reaction would probably knock out all your electronics. So you wouldn’t be able to listen to the BeeGees while you slowly die from radiation poisoning. That’s if you’re lucky enough to avoid the superfast bomb casing shrapnel.