Sitting atop a rocket
Carrying tens of thousands of lbs of liquid oxygen, kerosene and hydrogen peroxide is the type of risk he/she was referring to.

In space, explosive decompression can happen in event of a meter strike. Contrary to popular fiction, a human can be exposed to vaccuum and survive for short periods.
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Wed 23 Sep 2009, 10:28, 2 replies, latest was 17 years ago)

he/she?
surely you know me a little better than that!

glad you got my point though
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Wed 23 Sep 2009, 10:32, Reply)

Sorry Vipros!
I forgot who I was replying to mid post and thought I was replying to Mr/Ms Psychochomp!

Apologies for the gender confusion
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Wed 23 Sep 2009, 10:59, Reply)

I think you actually die of lack of oxygen
but your body quickly dries out, so you look like a very old person, with all your bodily fluids boiled away because of the very low pressure.

And a slight smell of piss.
( Bartleby A dead man on vacation, Wed 23 Sep 2009, 11:14, Reply)