Space exploration is one of mankind’s achievements, and we should be proud of it. But what price have we had to pay for this ambition? According to official statistics on space accidents and incidents, more than 300 people have died during the preparation and implementation of space flights and unsuccessful rocket launches.
We’ve previously written about the astronauts, who died in space. In this article, we will talk about the dangers of space and the 12 most tragic space disasters to which they led.
What are the biggest risks in space?
Space is an extremely hostile environment in which astronauts face many dangers. Unfortunately, we learned about many of them only as a result of past mistakes, including those that became fatal. So, what emergencies can happen in space?
Radiation and microgravity
Outside of the Earth, a person is exposed to solar radiation and weightlessness. Both are dangerous to health and, in large doses, are fatal. Spending several months in orbit increases the risk of heart rhythm and circulatory problems that can lead to ischemic stroke or heart attack. Embolism, massive haemorrhage, formation of kidney stones, infections, loss of bone and muscle mass, etc., are also possible. Of course, astronauts prepare for flights well, but it is still impossible to completely eliminate health risks.
Ship systems failure
Failure of the ship’s control system is one of the main reasons for space disasters because it makes it impossible to orient the ship in space, calculate docking coordinates, etc. If antennas are damaged, communication with the MCC can be lost. The MCC is not only the astronauts’ eyes and ears but also the source of rapid solutions to many potential problems. A failure in the life support system poses a direct threat to astronauts.
For example, in 1970, equipment problems nearly cost the Apollo 13 astronauts their lives. The lunar landing had to be cancelled, and only the heroic efforts of the crew and the MCC ground team made it possible to complete the mission without casualties. You can read more about this space accident in our article Unlucky Number: What Really Happened To Apollo 13. If you haven’t read it yet, be sure to do so.
Depressurization
An astronaut can be killed by even a small fragment of a meteorite or space debris because they move in orbit at crazy speed. If the ship’s hull fails, the crew will die. The only air on board is what astronauts bring with them from Earth. Depressurization threatens rapid death from cold, radiation, or lack of oxygen.
If the integrity of a spacesuit is compromised in outer space, the liquid in the human body will begin to boil as the gases it contains expand. Depending on the extent of the damage, death can occur within seconds.
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