Skydiver to Attempt Record-Breaking Supersonic 'Space Jump' Oct. 8

Space.com ^ | September 25, 2012 | Staff

[EveningStar]

An Austrian daredevil plans to leap from nearly 23 miles above the Earth on Oct. 8 in a supersonic plunge that, if successful, will be the world's highest-ever skydive.

If all goes according to plan, a helium-filled balloon will lift off from Roswell, N.M., on Oct. 8 and carry Felix Baumgartner's custom-built capsule to an altitude of 120,000 feet (36,576 meters). The daredevil will then step out of the capsule into the void, breaking a skydiving record that has stood for 52 years.

[EveningStar]

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[gunsequalfreedom]

what was the previous sky diving record

[hattend]

Go Felix!!

[Zuben Elgenubi]

‘Felix’ means ‘good luck’ in Latin, something he’s going to need.

[hattend]

102,800 feet in 1960

Joe Kittinger

If you can find it, read his book, "The Long Lonely Leap"

[GeronL]

This could go very very wrong

[EveningStar]

The current record for world's highest skydive stands at 102,800 feet (31,333 m). It was set in 1960 by U.S. Air Force Captain Joe Kittinger, who serves as an adviser for Baumgartner's mission.

[eCSMaster]

Supersonic? I don’t think so.

[Salamander]

Hold muh beer an’ watch this ping.

[gorush]

[hattend]

His rate of fall will be supersonic (about 640 mph at altitude) but the wind force on his body will never go over probably 130 mph or so (whatever normal freefall terminal velocity is for his body size and mass.) The air is very thin at altitude.

Heck, he probably won’t even hear an airstream going past his helmet until he hits 70K or so.

Read Kittinger’s book. he hit like Mach .95 (some say he did Mach 1). He describes the whole event of his jump in 1960. It’ll make your hair stand up.

[MaxMax]

This could go very very wrong

Yea, very wrong.

[Doogle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM39Z3grkpg

[hattend]

Not a chance of that happening.

Depressurization on the ride up or down is the biggest threat.

[HomeAtLast]

His rate of fall will be supersonic

This guy needs to meet my daughter.

[wareagle7295]

I get nauseous every time I read or watch something about this...

[Doogle]

"I've flown all over the world....at one time I would've enjoyed a ride in the shuttle,..then one morning I woke up and decided flying was no longer going to be for me. It's not the aircraft, it's the people I don't trust anymore"

[shibumi]

I don’t do things like this.

I don’t even think about doing things like this.

I rarely even think about things like this at all.

I don’t think I know anyone who thinks about thinking about things like this.

I liked Dirty Harry Callahan when he said “A man’s got to know his limitations.”

[M Kehoe]

I don’t think I know anyone who thinks about thinking about things like this.

Neither do I. That's why I read FR. To see how crazy people are thinking.

5.56mm

[shibumi]

An astute choice of venue on your part.

[Salamander]

If you’d ever read Shibumi’s profile, you’d realize that you’re currently conversing with the King Of The Crazies.

[Meh. It’s how I “found” him]

Happiest in the company of loons,

Salamander

[Rebelbase]

What is the significance of this pic in your ping photos?>P>

[Rebelbase]

This pic:

[Rebelbase]

I promise, I've only had two beers:

[shibumi]

[Salamander]

/facepalm

[murron]

He’s gonna die.

[gunsequalfreedom]

I found his book. There are two for sale on Amazon. One is priced at $495.00 and the other at $749.99.

I think I’ll wait for it to come out in paperback.

[zipper]

I think he’ll successfully break the sound barrier on the way down.

That is, if he has a pointy helmet.

[hattend]

Wow, if either of those sell at either of those prices, I’m going to sell my copy.

[hattend]

First 707 was barrel rolled up in Seattle by the test pilot to help sell the plane to potential customers who were watching from the ground.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra_khhzuFlE

[CedarDave]

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[af_vet_rr]

I don’t do things like this.

I don’t even think about doing things like this.

I rarely even think about things like this at all.

I don’t think I know anyone who thinks about thinking about things like this.

Jumping off of mountains was apparently not enough of a thrill for base jumpers. Now they are strapping wings to themselves and well just watch the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsV3bGPMTXo

[backtobasics]

Looks like the jump is on for Tuesday morning if the weather holds. They are saying he should fall 0-690 mph in 40 seconds or less at that altitude, and if he can control his angle he just might go supersonic. The redbull stratos site will have live coverage as well as altitude, speed, and track information. As it stands now, jump time is set for 6:30am MDT.

To me, this has the feel of the early space missions. Plenty could go wrong, even on the way up. For instance, the capsule could spin like a top after rising through the jet stream and would make the exit really problematic, but I suppose they have considered that.

I'm reminded of something an elderly friend said one Sunday after church when offered a free sightseeing flight on a twin engine plane. Afraid of heights and flying, he responded by holding his hand close to the ground while quoting a Bible verse, "Lo, I am with you always. And thats where I aim to stay.....LOW!"