Scene Context: Following a spatial rupture, the Event Horizon loses structural integrity. Maria executes an emergency dump of the remaining nitrogen into space to minimize spacecraft destruction and prevent debris and electrical arcs from destroying the already ejected crew capsules.
Essence of the Phenomenon: Rapid depressurization is a primary spacecraft emergency scenario. If a significant mass of gas remains in a damaged compartment, it creates a violent kinetic flow, exerting additional pressure on weakened bulkheads, causing secondary structural failures, and turning debris into projectiles. Thus, a controlled atmospheric dump is sometimes preferable to desperately trying to maintain internal pressure. Additionally, this removes the medium required to sustain visible electrical arcs near exposed wiring.
Scientific Basis: In such a situation, the atmosphere inside the ship becomes a destructive hazard. Once the pressure is vented, the hull is no longer being pushed outward from the inside, the gas flow ceases, and electrical arcing in the breach zone can extinguish due to the lack of a working medium.
Current Limitations: This is not a "cost-free rescue." After a complete atmospheric dump, the ship permanently loses its habitable volume and transitions into a state of pure mechanical survival.