Scarier than Gravity: Real Life Close Calls in Space

In which Hank talks about a smattering of the most terrifying real-life close-calls in space travel. The Russians seem to have a particular knack for getting into terrible situations but, somehow, not dying.

[Quijin]

I'm a cosmonaut, my teeth are broken, can I sleep here?

Best pickup line, ever.

[elizabethc]

I would just like to say that my amazing Grandpa (who died last summer) WAS ONE OF THE FREAKING LEAD SCIENTISTS WHO MADE SURE APOLLO 13 DIDN'T COMPLETELY CRASH INTO SMITHEREENS AND HE WAS THE COOLEST GRANDPA EVER. Ok, DFTBA

[vlogbrothers]

In which talks about a smattering of the most terrifying real-life close-calls in space travel. The Russians seem to have a particular knack for getting into terrible situations but, somehow, not dying. 

Scarier than Gravity: Real Life Close Calls in Space

[michaelkincaid]

on the wolves thing, Russian capsules now carry shotguns on each mission

[vlogbrothers]

Yes! It's so cool that people are recognizing them. :-)

[mcreynoldsamy]

WHY in the name of goodness is there not a movie about the rocket that flipped and almost rolled off a mountain. That is pre-written gold! People can't even complain that the writers stretched the truth! "Psh, yeah, they stopped 20 feet away from death, how convenient." *Shows historical photos.* It wouldn't say "based on a true story" it would say "IS a true story."

[fenestrapain]

“Fate has ordained that the men who went to the moon to explore in peace will stay on the moon to rest in peace.
These brave men, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin, know that there is no hope for their recovery. But they also know that there is hope for mankind in their sacrifice.
These two men are laying down their lives in mankind’s most noble goal: the search for truth and understanding.
They will be mourned by their families and friends; they will be mourned by the nation; they will be mourned by the people of the world; they will be mourned by a Mother Earth that dared send two of her sons into the unknown.
In their exploration, they stirred the people of the world to feel as one; in their sacrifice, they bind more tightly the brotherhood of man.
In ancient days, men looked at the stars and saw their heroes in the constellations. In modern times, we do much the same, but our heroes are epic men of flesh and blood.
Others will follow, and surely find their way home. Man’s search will not be denied. But these men were the first, and they will remain the foremost in our hearts.
For every human being who looks up at the moon in the nights to come will know that there is some corner of another world that is forever mankind.”
— 
Eulogy that William Safire prepared for Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in the event they became stranded on the moon in July 1969.

[Lilpeople]

This is definitely one of my favorite videos you've made! Very interesting to hear about and think about.

[j-money]

Imagine getting to the after life and being like "oh how did you die?"
"I drowned in space..."

[papapeachABCD]

I love this episode!
I've never heard space facts quite like these.
Hank, please do more like this with amazing (scary or not) space stuff!

[fiesie]

As a kid I wanted to be an astronaut, but then I found out about all the things that could go wrong, while working on the job so I quickly gave up on that dream. Later on in life I found out that I could never be an astronaut even if I wanted because space suits only come in one size and I'm to tall.

[MrsShartzer]

Good morning Hank and John. It's Sunday November 3rd.
Three months and 3 days ago, I started watching all of the vlogbrothers videos from the beginning of Brotherhood 2.0. I am proud to say that I just caught up! So, if anyone was wondering how long it would take to see all the videos while still being a relatively productive member of society, you have your answer.
I'm glad I stumbled into Nerdfighteria - I don't think I'll ever leave :)
DFTBA & Best wishes!!
PS - First comment I've ever made!

[BoryanaMilenova]

"The Russian space program man, wow" - exactly what I thought, too.

[slothsonbikes]

I love these new recent videos! I'm always happy to see a video from the Vlogbrothers but lately the quality is just through the roof. So good!

[madentirelyofawesome]

I just want to test leaving a comment and I know this will go fairly unnoticed here :)

[karakamos]

I think this is one of the main reasons I really, really appreciate Gravity, because it gave me the chance to feel like I was in space (including both the awe and the terror), without actually having to deal with the scary, figuring out how not to die stuff. Then again, if I had the chance to go I totally would. Chris Hadfield did a great interview on the program Q with Jian Ghomeshi recently and he's just the coolest guy (and also my Halloween costume).

[souce]

the astronaut with Luca during his spacewalk just came to my school 2 days ago. He told the story in such a casual way it was kinda scary, but that then again he did serve as a seals for like 9 years. Yeah the guy was pretty much a BAMF 

[brwneyedgirlx]

Hank. This movie used to depict my worst nightmare. I read too many books about space when I was little and the thought of being disconnected from the ship used to haunt my dreams. Thank you for giving me new worst nightmares. Holy crap. I will never sleep again.

[martfp]

Everytime you guys mention each other in your videos (Henry, Derek, Hank, John etc) the feeling is like when I'm watching a Marvel movie and they cross reference other superheroes and events, I can't wait to see a video where you finally assemble in an epic battle against Worldsuck... What makes it more awesome is that the Marvel cinematic share universe is fictional but your share universe is real and I live in it!

[Nicodemus]

Hank, fantastic vlog. As quickly as you went, you were still able to communicate the potentially soul-destroying horror that space can be. Even juxtaposed against the indescribable beauty and wonder that is truly is. Needless to say, I enjoyed thoroughly. Good show (pun utterly intended)!