Airlock

An airlock is a device which permits the passage of people and objects between a pressure vessel and its surroundings while minimizing the change of pressure in the vessel and loss of air from it. The lock consists of a small chamber with two airtight doors in series which do not open simultaneously.

An airlock may be used for passage between environments of different gases rather than different pressures, to minimize or prevent the gases from mixing. An airlock may also be used underwater to allow passage between an air environment in a pressure vessel and a water environment outside, in which case the airlock can contain air or water.

Airlocks are present on board most Tau'ri, Asgard[ Goa'uld and Ancient vessels.

When the Daedalus was affected by a Wraith computer virus, Dr. Lindstrom was trapped in an airlock and jettisoned into space by the virus.

Atlantis and presumably other City-ships are equipped with underwater Jumper bays that allow Puddle Jumpers to enter. This bay can be drained of water from a control room.

The Ancient vessel Destiny is equipped with several airlocks.