About 2 hours until they try again to launch the ballon so he can try to parachute from the edge of space.

Got the Red Bull live video site bookmarked, standing by. This is exciting stuff, especially for an old paratrooper who thought HALO was exciting... but compared to this Red Bull sponsored "space" jump, what I did was childs' play.

EDIT: Here's the link - Red Bull Stratos Live Video

* Last updated by: privateer on 10/14/2012 @ 6:28 AM *

This guy is nuts! lol That was wild!!! There is not enough money in the world that will make me jump from space.

Kofla

NINJA ZX-14 MotoVlog

I can remember looking out the back with the ramp up, on oxygen, at 30,000 feet and the absolute silence once out of the plane as we formed up. Flying towards the drop zone in free fall, then popping chutes at 1,800 feet and guiding them immediately down to land.

But what this guy did, from 128,000 feet, just blows my mind. He is certified as going over 800 mph before reaching enough atmosphere to air brake, so once they crunch the numbers (to account for the low air pressure which raises the speed of sound) he may get credit for breaking the sound barrier. Just that that high, there would be no shock wave to prove it, hence no sound.

I'm wondering how to top it. That was the biggest balloon as far as I know, and the capsule is about as bareboned as it can be, and the balloon was at max altitude, aka "float". Maybe they can build an even bigger balloon?

What this proves is that if a space craft that has no chance of returning to earth (say, heat tiles lost where it counts), all it has to do is level out at 24 miles up and with the correct parachutes (these ain't no sport 'chutes lol) they could ride the ejection tube out the port which would carry them far enough from the spacecraft, and free fall until the parachutes computer deploys a drogue and then the main chute automatically.

Add floatation devices, and who cares if they land in the water, we'd have them on their beacons in 10 minutes.

Remember when Chuck Yeager took a fighter jet straight up until it ran out of air.He then ejected above Edwards AFB.He later said he didn't need a stinkin space ship to get to space.He was the first to brake the sound barrier in a X-15 I think.Loved that guy.Was an ace in Korea and Vietnam.A true hero.
Craig

I can't believe he did not black out from that tail spin. Awesome, will be eager to hear why he did not continue to break free fall record. Amazing Jump.

What this proves is that if a space craft that has no chance of returning to earth (say, heat tiles lost where it counts), all it has to do is level out at 24 miles up and with the correct parachutes (these ain't no sport 'chutes lol) they could ride the ejection tube out the port which would carry them far enough from the spacecraft, and free fall until the parachutes computer deploys a drogue and then the main chute automatically.

I imagine that astronauts, at some point probably asked themselves what would happen if something goes wrong and they get stranded in space? But I think this guy did it for the thrill of it, or to be in the record books. Now the NASA program, and astronauts lives are going to benefit from this stunt.

Btw, this reminds me of a book written by John L. Plaster titled "SOG: The Secret Wars of America's Commandos in Vietnam". There is a section on the book that talks about people from this elite group being dropped behind enemy lines from a higher than normal altitude in the middle of the night. They freefall and waited until the last minute to open the parachute to avoid detection. Fascinating book.

Kofla

NINJA ZX-14 MotoVlog

@Romans - my guess is his faceplate was completely frosted still, and he was unsure of his exact altitude, and just erred on the side of caution and pulled the 'chute toggle. I also think his vast experience judging his altitude in some pretty difficult base jumps served him well as well tons of free fall so he had an idea.

He was, after all, less than 30 seconds from the record, right? I don't blame him, though, if it turned out the heating elements in my faceplate could not keep up with -15 F temperatures, I would probably pull the toggle early too. Just get it over and get on the ground safe.

Word from the Red Bull people on the Stratos project: "We got to find a much bigger balloon now".

He was, after all, less than 30 seconds from the record, right? I don't blame him,

Please don't misunderstand. I watched this live and was standing when this man started his tail spin,,,, when he did not black out, I was in total Awe. Wow, is wow. Once he was in complete control, with live voice feed, I did expect they would advise him as to when to deploy shoot. Now one record eludes him. No matter, incredidiably Awesome. Big fan. Now, The Entire world knows his name, congrats Felix.

One has to wonder why NASA would not have tried this before, seeing as they were sending men up in space. I think this is an excellent achievement and as Kofla stated "lives are going to benefit from this".

Two thumb up for Felix Baumgartner & Redbull.

Spyglass

NASA had an exit procedure for shuttle astronauts to bail out, even had a long tube that sticks out from the top of the hatch that they hook to and slide down, taking them well clear of the shuttle.

They never deployed it, but now they know all they have to do is get the shuttle down to 24 miles above the earth or less, and develop a way to stabilize them until there is enough air resistance to control posture.

If I was NASA, I'd take Felix on a shuttle ride and let him test it.

NINJA ZX-14 MotoVlog

Now that would be a rather large giraffe.

Love it Kofla! The astronauts could slide down the giraffe's long neck. Is it wrong that I want that giraffe?

Spyglass

Indeed. Prepare yourself for intervention.

But Hagrid..... I've already named him (shorty)- LOL

Very well then... provided you can keep Shorty from poking his head thru my bedroom window in an attempt to get "all the marmalade". <--- Family Guy reference

This is the longest "Shorty" I've ever seen, lol

Kofla

NINJA ZX-14 MotoVlog