When it comes to certain death in a sci-fi plot, being ejected into the void of space is more than something quite certain. But, in reality, how far can a human go in space without dying? Any space above the Earth's atmosphere is known as the Death Zone because there isn't enough oxygen to support life. However, with a spacesuit, a human can reach up to 555 kilometers (347 miles). After about 15 seconds, the person will faint due to the lack of oxygen.
It's also very cold in space, so it's important to be prepared for extreme temperatures. The retired space shuttle was reinforced with carbon and carbon thermal armor that could withstand temperatures of up to 4,700 degrees Fahrenheit. If a spacecraft were wrapped in this type of armor, it could reach 1.3 million miles from the Sun. In 1965, a technician inside a vacuum chamber at the Johnson Space Center in Houston accidentally depressurized his spacesuit by breaking a hose.
But, more realistically, an astronaut venturing to the Sun will not abandon his spaceship any time soon. According to Richard Harding's book Survival in Space, blood vessels can withstand internal pressure without exploding. A standard spacesuit will protect an astronaut in temperatures of up to 248 degrees Fahrenheit; it's still great in most cases, but extremely bad for trying to touch the Sun. Depending on where you are in space, this will take between 12 and 26 hours, but if you're near a star, you'll burn to a crisp.
