space lock n.

= airlock n.

  • 1930 J. W. Campbell Black Star Passes in Amazing Stories Quarterly Fall 520/2 page image John W. Campbell, Jr. bibliography

    A quarter of an hour later the people who were to remain here on this planet saw the first of the monsters of the space rise slowly from the ground and leap swiftly forward, then, one every ten seconds, the others leapt in swift pursuit, rushing swiftly across half a world to the giant space lock that would let them out into the void. Then one at a time they passed out into the mighty sea of space, Pirates of Space! From one system, careening on its way through the void, they were sweeping out to another system, to take it, and overrun it with their people!

  • 1939 R. Heinlein Misfit in Astounding Science-Fiction Nov. 56/2 page image Robert A. Heinlein bibliography

    At the starboard spacelock, the kits were put in first, the inner door closed, and the outer opened. When the inner door was opened again the kits were gone—blown out into space by the escaping air.

  • 1940 H. Kuttner Million Years to Conquer in Startling Stories Nov. 18/2 Henry Kuttner bibliography

    ‘Test the atmosphere,’ Theron commanded. Ardath obeyed. Spectroscopic analysis, made from outer space, had indicated that the air here was breathable. The chemical test confirmed this. At Theron’s request, Ardath opened a spacelock. Air surged in with a queerly choking sulphurous odor.

  • 1942 A. E. van Vogt Asylum in Astounding Science-Fiction May 27/1 page image A. E. van Vogt bibliography

    Her voice took on a whiplash quality. ‘So back to my rooms. I have a space lock there to get rid of your body. Get going!’

  • 1948 L. R. Hubbard 240,000 Miles Straight Up in Thrilling Wonder Stories Dec. 55/1 page image L. Ron Hubbard bibliography

    Angel put a piece of chocolate into the miniature space lock of his helmet, closed the outer door, opened the inner one with his chin and worried it dog-fashion out of the compartment.

  • 1949 G. O. Smith Fire in the Heavens in Startling Stories July 70/1 George O. Smith bibliography

    Jeff stood in the open spacelock and called directions through the telephone as Lucille lifted the big rocket gently and cautiously onto its jets.

  • 1949 J. H. Schmitz Agent of Vega in Astounding Science Fiction July 48/2 page image James H. Schmitz bibliography

    So it’s worth taking a chance on trying to get her out of there. And here’s what you do. In the first place, don’t under any circumstances get any closer than medium beaming range to that crate. Then, just before I reach the yacht, you’re to put a tractor on its forward space[-]lock and haul it open. That will let me in close to the control room, and that’s where U-1’s got to be.

  • 1951 S. A. Peeples et al. Dictionary of Science Fiction in Travelers of Space 26

    SPACE LOCK—In SF, an opening into a space ship, complete with air lock to avoid loss of atmosphere or penetration by alien air. Also refers to a space ship’s berth or launching platform. (See: SPACE PORT)

  • 1965 B. Wells Blind Alley in Worlds of If Feb. 58/2 page image Basil Wells bibliography

    A section of intact hull, complete with emergency space lock, thrust up through the tangled mass of tree roots and foliage of the prairie grove beneath which most of the ship lay buried.

  • 2015 E. Walters Regenesis x. 120 page image Eric Walters bibliography

    It’s hard to be an ally with somebody who has considered blowing the space lock and killing me and the others on my ship.

Research requirements

antedating 1930
Earliest cite

John W. Campbell, Jr., 'The Black Star Passes'
Research History
Fred Galvin submitted a 1951 cite from Samuel A. Peeples, David A. Kyle, and Martin Greenberg's "A Dictionary of Science Fiction".
Fred Galvin submitted a 1949 cite from George O. Smith's "Fire in the Heavens".
Fred Galvin submitted a cite from a 1957 reprint of A. E. van Vogt's "Asylum", which Mike Christie verified in the 1942 first publication.
Fred Galvin submitted a cite from a 1983 reprint of Robert Heinlein's 1939 "Misfit".
Fred Galvin submitted a 1930 cite from John W. Campbell, Jr.'s "The Black Star Passes".
Fred Galvin submitted a 1953 cite from George O. Smith's "Troubled Star".
Fred Galvin submitted a cite from a 1952 reprint of Henry Kuttner's 1940 "A Million Years to Conquer".
Fred Galvin submitted a 1948 cite from L. Ron Hubbard's "240,000 Miles Straight Up".
Fred Galvin submitted a cite from a 1962 reprint of James H. Schmitz's 1949 "Agent of Vega".
Fred Galvin submitted a cite from a 1997 reprint of Donald A. Wollheim's 1953 "Asteroid 745: Mauritia" (written as Martin Pearson).
Ben Ostrowsky submitted a 2015 cite from Eric Walters.

Last modified 2021-03-09 02:37:34
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.