The Worst Way To Get To Space
The Rest Is Science
Aug 23, 2026 21:00
Create an account to hide videos, mark them watched, or save them to Don't Miss.
Create an account to hide videos, mark them watched, or save them to Don't Miss.
Create an account to hide videos, mark them watched, or save them to Don't Miss.
What is the fastest, cheapest and possibly worst way to get into space?
Could a nuclear explosion launch a manhole cover beyond the Earth’s atmosphere?
And could space elevators, skyhooks or launch loops one day replace rockets?
In this episode, Professor Hannah Fry and Michael Stevens (VSauce) explore where space really begins, why orbit means falling forever, and how Newton’s cannon explains the motion of the International Space Station.
They also interrogate the physics of the Kármán line, orbital velocity and geostationary orbit, before asking whether humans could ever climb a staircase to space, or catch a rotating skyhook into orbit.
Plus, the far future fate of Earth, firing a bullet around the Moon, the true value of the Apollo Moon landing, the ethics of colonising Mars and whether the future of space exploration should belong to private companies or the public!
-------------------
For more information about Cancer Research UK, their research, breakthroughs and how you can support them, visit https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/our-research/rest-is-science
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.
-------------------
Video Editor: Oli Oakley
Animator: Sam Benson
Video & Social: Bex Tyrrell
Assistant Producer: Lucy Lipscombe
Producer: Simona Rata
Senior Producer: Lauren Armstrong-Carter
Chief Digital Officer: Samuel Oakley
Exec Producer: Neil Fearn
Science & Technology
#The Rest Is Science
#Hannah Fry
#Professor Hannah Fry
#Michael Stevens
#Vsauce
#Vsauce Michael
#science podcast
#science show
#science communication
#science documentary
#educational content
#learning science
#STEM
#in-depth science
#curiosity
#questions and answers
#physics
#mathematics
#biology
#astronomy
#cosmology
#technology
#psychology
#human behavior
#algorithms
#fun science
#science for beginners
#interesting facts
#science explanations