/The Cold Equations/ is lambasted for being a story that's set up to make a point in ways that completely contradict any sort of good engineering practice. Given the situation as described, the simplest ordinary precautions would prevent the problem from happening.
0th level obviousness: weight is at a premium on the ship, yet there is a closet with space for a small person and a solid closet door that makes it a hiding location. If there is a need for storage space, netting is a much more sensible protection mechanism than a door.
There are literally dozens of similar objections, including those made by Tom Goddard, the author, who explained that he was writing specifically at the direction of John W. Campbell, the editor.
"The Cold Equations" is pretty much the sole story on a list of SF shorts I'm finishing writing up that I don't actually like and am pretty much just including because it's on so many lists--possibly for the same reason :-)
And not only is it completely unrealistic in order to make the point of the title but everything about the characters is so 1950s feeling that it feels incredibly dated.
0th level obviousness: weight is at a premium on the ship, yet there is a closet with space for a small person and a solid closet door that makes it a hiding location. If there is a need for storage space, netting is a much more sensible protection mechanism than a door.
There are literally dozens of similar objections, including those made by Tom Goddard, the author, who explained that he was writing specifically at the direction of John W. Campbell, the editor.