Sky Diving into the Unknown from 120,000 Feet
Later this year, Australian Felix Baumgartner will attempt to break the long-standing record for the highest ever parachute jump – ascending in a pressurised gondola attached to a high-altitude balloon to a mind-boggling 120,000ft (36.5km). The current mark, 102,800ft (31.3km) set in 1960, is held by now-retired United States Air Force Colonel Joseph Kittinger. Felix Baumgartner aims to break the American’s 50-year-old record with this most audacious project --dubbed ‘Mission to the Edge of Space.’
Comments:
I will be surprised if he survives. Kittinger nearly died setting his record.
I wonder how we will preserve that immortal piece assuming we find it. But really, not sure if there is a purpose here other than the "look at me" syndrome that many seem to possess.<br><br>Jud
Remember those aluminum snow-saucers we slid down hills on in the '60's?<br>Maybe he could hold one over his bum at 800mph... <img class='' src='http://new.astromart.com/astromart/javascripts/sceditor/emoticons/grin.png' alt='grin' title='grin'/> <br>Makes as much sense as any other aspect of this stunt!
The speed of sound may be over 760 mph at sea level, but it varies up and down all the way through the atmosphere down to as low as 660 mph. It is not a constant decrease; it goes up as one enters the stratosphere (see link).<br><br><br>http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/atmosphere/q0112.shtml<br><br>Aerodynamics and fluid mechanics demonstrate clearly how air flow speed varies over an object of various shape and cross section. At any instant his hand may be at Mach 1.3 ad his butt may be at Mack .7.<br><br>Depending on how his body is oriented, every inch of his body will spend 0ver ten miles at transonic velocities. I suspect the buffeting of the shock wave continually whipping back and forth across his body - especially if he tumbles - will be like taking a ride in a gigantic rock tumbling machine full of police batons. Those shock waves are like moving walls. <br>When these compression waves hit soft tissue, they act like a solid. If the impact will break windows ten miles below, it can break bones and tear flesh. His only chance of survival is in his suit.<br><br><br><br>
any bets on how big the crator will be?
My apologies for making an incorrect statement in the introduction to this News Item.<br><br>Mr Felix Baumgartner is Austrian, not Australian as I incorrectly stated in the introduction. The main body of the text has this correct.<br><br>Good Luck and Godspeed Mr. Baumgartner. You are a brave man.<br><br>Guy Pirro<br><br>
Can't wait for the interviews.<br>uh, what was it like falling @800mph, etc.<br>were you ...<br><br>Andy
<br> He will need it.
Interesting. All pessimism and *no* sense of adventure in most of the responses so far. The entire human race would still be in Olduvai Gorge if you guys had your way ... <img class='' src='http://new.astromart.com/astromart/javascripts/sceditor/emoticons/sad.png' alt='sad' title='sad'/>
I think it's awesome. We need to keep pushing the boundaries. One day someone will stand on Mt. Olympus (Mars)....
