- Ordeal in Space
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"Ordeal in Space" is a science fiction short story by Robert A. Heinlein, originally published in Town & Country, May 1948. It is one of Heinlein's Future History stories and appears in his collection, The Green Hills of Earth.
A spaceship's crewman is called to repair an antenna while his ship is still under spin. He is unable to hold on, despite supreme effort; he drifts away from the ship and has far too much time to ponder things. When he returns to Earth, he is unable to work as a spaceman, and has a fear of heights. After living in fear and sadness for a time, he must face his troubles while rescuing a kitten stuck on the 35th-floor ledge of a building.
Originally titled "Broken Wings", the story was rejected by The Saturday Evening Post.
A reading of this story was broadcast on BBC Radio 7 on June 15, 2009.
Robert A. Heinlein's Future History Collections Short
stories"Life-Line" · "Let There Be Light" · "The Roads Must Roll" · "Blowups Happen" · "The Man Who Sold the Moon" · "Delilah and the Space Rigger" · "Space Jockey" · "Requiem" · "The Long Watch" · "Gentlemen, Be Seated!" · "The Black Pits of Luna" · "It's Great to Be Back!" · "-We Also Walk Dogs" · "Searchlight" · "Ordeal in Space" · "The Green Hills of Earth" · "Logic of Empire" · "The Menace from Earth" · "If This Goes On—" · "Coventry" · "Misfit" · "Universe" · "Common Sense"Novels Categories:- Short stories by Robert A. Heinlein
- 1948 short stories
- Works originally published in Town & Country (magazine)
- Science fiction short story stubs
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