Military fighter jet ejection seats are powered by literal explosive rockets under the pilot's chair, saving their lives but almost guaranteeing they will end up a fraction of an inch shorter than they used to be.

A closer look

Military fighter jet ejection seats are powered by literal explosive rockets under the pilot's chair, saving their lives but almost guaranteeing they will end up a fraction of an inch shorter than they used to be. The violently sudden acceleration blasts the pilot upward with such terrifying force that it severely compresses their spinal column, effectively trading long-term back health for the immediate luxury of not turning into a fireball. Some air forces actually have strict limits on how many times a pilot is allowed to eject during their career before they are permanently grounded for medical reasons. It is a wonderfully brutal piece of engineering that essentially punches you in the spine with twenty Gs of force, reminding you that cheating death always comes with a permanent physical toll and a lifetime of chiropractic bills