On August 12, 1980, a 10-year-old girl from Caracas, Venezuela, became ill while riding Space Mountain. She later died of a pre-existing heart condition from a lack of oxygen. In 1998, a 37-year-old man was hit on the head by a falling object.

Yes, Space Mountain has had several reported injuries and a few fatalities over its 50-year history, though it is statistically considered a very safe attraction given the millions of guests who ride it annually. Most notable incidents involve guests with pre-existing heart or neurological conditions; for example, in 1979, a woman died after a heart tumor dislodged during the ride, and in 2006, a 6-year-old boy passed away after fainting. There have also been mechanical incidents, such as in 2000, when a ride vehicle at Disney World stopped abruptly, causing minor whiplash and bruises for nine passengers. In 1983, an 18-year-old was paralyzed after falling from a vehicle at Disneyland, though the park was eventually found not liable. These incidents led to significant safety upgrades, including the transition from lap belts to more secure lap bars and enhanced sensor systems that can halt the entire track if a single vehicle deviates.