In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.
Fearless Felix's next jump
Rack Ops
Member Posts: 18,596 ✭✭✭
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - The countdown is on for skydiver Felix Baumgartner.
In just two weeks, Baumgartner will attempt to go supersonic when he jumps from a record altitude of 23 miles over New Mexico. Project managers announced Tuesday the feat will take place Oct. 8.
The Austrian parachutist jumped from 13 miles in March and 18 miles in July. This time, he hopes to break the all-time record of 19.5 miles set in 1960.
A giant helium balloon will hoist a pressurized capsule with Baumgartner inside, dressed in a pressure suit.
Baumgartner expects to reach a top speed of 690 mph and break the sound barrier with only his body, less than a half-minute after he hops from his capsule.
The same capsule was used for Baumgartner's two practice jumps but was damaged in the latest touchdown. It smashed down hard despite its parachute, and the outer shell had to be replaced with parts from a backup capsule. The entire craft was taken apart and reassembled.
The repairs and retesting pushed the final flight from August to October.
"I feel like a tiger in a cage waiting to get out," Baumgartner, 43, said in a statement.
Project officials note that excellent weather will be needed to launch the 30 million-cubic-foot helium balloon from Roswell. Early fall is generally an optimal time for such endeavors.
The entire flight will be monitored by a NASA-like Mission Control; the mission is known as Red Bull Stratos, short for stratosphere. One of the lead team members is record-holder Joe Kittinger, who was an Air Force captain when he took part in the military high-jump project.
This time, the effort is privately funded by the energy drink maker.
___
Online:
Red Bull Stratos: http://www.redbullstratos.com/
In just two weeks, Baumgartner will attempt to go supersonic when he jumps from a record altitude of 23 miles over New Mexico. Project managers announced Tuesday the feat will take place Oct. 8.
The Austrian parachutist jumped from 13 miles in March and 18 miles in July. This time, he hopes to break the all-time record of 19.5 miles set in 1960.
A giant helium balloon will hoist a pressurized capsule with Baumgartner inside, dressed in a pressure suit.
Baumgartner expects to reach a top speed of 690 mph and break the sound barrier with only his body, less than a half-minute after he hops from his capsule.
The same capsule was used for Baumgartner's two practice jumps but was damaged in the latest touchdown. It smashed down hard despite its parachute, and the outer shell had to be replaced with parts from a backup capsule. The entire craft was taken apart and reassembled.
The repairs and retesting pushed the final flight from August to October.
"I feel like a tiger in a cage waiting to get out," Baumgartner, 43, said in a statement.
Project officials note that excellent weather will be needed to launch the 30 million-cubic-foot helium balloon from Roswell. Early fall is generally an optimal time for such endeavors.
The entire flight will be monitored by a NASA-like Mission Control; the mission is known as Red Bull Stratos, short for stratosphere. One of the lead team members is record-holder Joe Kittinger, who was an Air Force captain when he took part in the military high-jump project.
This time, the effort is privately funded by the energy drink maker.
___
Online:
Red Bull Stratos: http://www.redbullstratos.com/
Comments
I wonder what that would feel like!
"Baumgartner expects to reach a top speed of 690 mph and break the sound barrier with only his body".
I wonder what that would feel like!
I have no personal desire to find out.
EDITIt states that he will jump from 23 miles up and exceed the speed of sound "30 seconds after he jumps from Capsule" sound does not travel in a Vacuum [?][?]Would not 23 miles up be a vacuum or at least a near vacuum[?][?]
quote:Originally posted by wiplash
"Baumgartner expects to reach a top speed of 690 mph and break the sound barrier with only his body".
I wonder what that would feel like!
I have no personal desire to find out.
Still a little shakey from that Bull Elk tapping on your Windshield [:D] [:o)]