Watched it live yesterday too, blooming brilliant stuff, I had the fear watching the footage, no way could I have stepped off that ledge, the guys a courageous beast methinks.
Redbull stratos free fall
- Thread starter mentalnurse
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I don't know, I have thrown myself out of a few planes, including some old clunkers where I had to climb out onto a step and wait before letting go, but when I watched the footage of him stepping out and onto that step I thought "nah! not for me".
agreed. I don't normally suffer from vertigo, but that footage of him jumping off messed with my head.
The big deal was in pushing a boundary; to do as others have done is always more straightforward.
No one, living or dead, has taken a balloon flight to that altitude, opened the door at that altitude, or stepped off the edge.
It has taken 50 years for this happen, Kittinger, the previous record holder, made his jump in 1960 using little more than sticks and duct tape by comparison. They have developed, amongst other things, a new balloon technology, and a next generation space suit.
If you look at the numbers (and I love the numbers) then you will see how amazing it was.
128,100ft high (that's 24 miles up)
passed through outside temperatures of minus 95 degrees on his ascent/descent
achieved an unassisted free fall speed of over 833mph
Looking from the outside this is trivial, its not curing disease or anything but pushing human boundaries will always look crazy to most people (look at most if Sir Ranulph Fiennes achievements for examples) but humans, as a race, we insist on pushing our limits and that's what has to be admired and celebrated.
Incredible hey, my Dear Wife called the Kids in to sit and watch a little 'aviation' history in the making, it was a WOW moment, albeit a long one, fantastic and well worth watching.
So he reached 833mph? Good going. Wonder how long it took him to slow down to terminal velocity of 122mph? Thats gotta hurt. It'd be like diving into water from a 300ft cliff.
He will have done . You stabilise yourself using the air resistance, wlth subtle movement of hands and feet, as well as body position. No air resistance = no ability to stabilise and control your descent. I'm surprised he recovered as he will have suffered from the spin, then to decelerate from 833 to 122 mph in a short amount of time,..hes a tough guy to be sure.
. You stabilise yourself using the air resistance, wlth subtle movement of hands and feet, as well as body position. No air resistance = no ability to stabilise and control your descent. I'm surprised he recovered as he will have suffered from the spin, then to decelerate from 833 to 122 mph in a short amount of time,..hes a tough guy to be sure.
That was the point behind Kittenger's jump in 1960; he was a test jumper for NASA. I think this jump was all about the records though.
Could easily ( and certainly will have somewhere) been for both.
Technically, can't do one without the other.
Technically, can't do one without the other.
Could easily ( and certainly will have somewhere) been for both.
Technically, can't do one without the other.
You've lost me with this one?
This jump. Could have been dual purpose, one because of the other. Bloke jumps from record heights at record speeds, breaking records. But it could easily have been a test for someone (sponsor?) too. The record thing because something needed testing.... Nothing wrong with it.
Yeah I suppose it "could" have been; but red Bull doesn't make or market aviation gear, just the drink so it seems unlikely.
All that said, IIRC Kittenger's jump wasn't really an "official" record as they didn't meet the documentation reqired by whatever authority keeps such records.
All that said, IIRC Kittenger's jump wasn't really an "official" record as they didn't meet the documentation reqired by whatever authority keeps such records.
It was on it's way down on a parachute when I switched off last night, it was a bit slower than he was.
I think the balloon was cut free
Im certain there will be a ton of valid scientific data from all the instruments he was carrying. Even if it was 'just a jump' it was still an epic achievement that pushes the boundaries of what mankind can do. Why climb the mountain? Because its there! This guy also invented the jet powered wing suit. Id say he's made a great contribution to science.
thanks for that, i was just curious, i had visions of it floating around up there for ages
cheers
stuart
Agreed he made a contributiuon and the jump was well worth it. Just setting the bar higher for the next generation is reason enough in itself.
Felix is standing on the step of the capsule...
The ground team ask him "have you got vertigo?",
Felix replies in his Austrian accented English "no, it is only twenty three miles".
I'll get my coat.
The ground team ask him "have you got vertigo?",
Felix replies in his Austrian accented English "no, it is only twenty three miles".
I'll get my coat.
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