The flight path is chosen to be shallow enough that the crew experiences a peak deceleration of about 4g's, which would feel like 3 buddies your size dogpiling on top of you. You get up to that kind of acceleration on a roller coaster for brief seconds at a time. A healthy adult can handle it for a few minutes, though it's not pleasant.
Plus, the ride's not smooth like accelerating in a car. It can be very "bumpy", like the worst airplane turbulence ever, coming and going randomly, and loud rushing noises, also crackling and rumbling sounds. And timed explosions going off to release hatches for parachutes and things. It's like being in the middle of a war zone.
Adding to the war analogy, hanging over you the whole time is the ever present threat of imminent death if the heat shield doesn't hold or if the capsule flips over due to an air pocket so the un-shielded side gets the brunt and explodes.
And then you think about how we were able to do all this with 1960s technology before most of us were born, including the Artemis astronauts. Amazing.
not to get mushy on the tl but do y'all realize how rare and insane it is that the og killers from one of the most beloved franchises in the world are still close nearly 30 years later, still doing films together, & still taking every opportunity to brag about one another?
"I know some of you have expressed concerns about my age. You are worried about a 33 year becoming mayor of New York City.
"And I want you to know, I hear you. That’s why this weekend I’ll be making a change.
"I’m turning 34."
Was getting a Diet Dr. Pepper at Sheetz. Didn’t realize a man was waiting at the soda fountain behind me, so I said “Oh, I’m sorry,” & he replied “Honey, you never have to apologize for visiting The Doctor” & it does sort of feel like I encountered God in disguise.