Felix Baumgartner high altitude skydive

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around Felix Baumgartner's attempt to break the record for the highest free fall, specifically targeting a jump from 37 kilometers above the Earth's surface. Participants explore various aspects of this endeavor, including technical details about the jump, comparisons to previous records, and the implications of such a feat.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note Baumgartner's goal to surpass Joe Kittinger's record of 31.3 kilometers, with plans for a jump from nearly 23 miles (approximately 37 kilometers).
  • There is mention of Baumgartner's test jump from 71,581 feet (13.6 miles) and the involvement of notable figures like Kittinger and Dr. Jonathan Clark in the project.
  • Participants express fascination with the concept of free falling from such heights, particularly the challenges posed by the pressure suit and parachute deployment at supersonic speeds.
  • Questions arise regarding the necessity of oxygen preparation to avoid decompression sickness, comparing it to the current record holder's requirements.
  • Some participants share links to news articles and videos related to Baumgartner's jumps, contributing to the discussion with additional resources.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express interest in Baumgartner's jump and share information, but there are varying opinions on the implications of the jump, particularly regarding the technical challenges and safety measures involved. The discussion remains unresolved on specific technical aspects and the necessity of oxygen preparation.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various sources and figures, but there are uncertainties regarding the specifics of the pressure suit's capabilities and the exact requirements for the jump, which are not fully clarified in the discussion.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in extreme sports, aerospace engineering, or the physics of free fall may find this discussion engaging and informative.

natasha d
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hes attempting to break a record for the highest free fall (37km from the Earth's surface)
heres a link to a site about Joe Kittinger (who holds the current record at 31.3km)
http://testblog-testblog123456-testblog.blogspot.in/2011/11/dispatches-blog-supersonic-man-col-joe.html
 
Physics news on Phys.org


You just did...
 
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/sl...ecord-setting-skydiver-plans-23-mile-15546673

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Baumgartner

http://news.yahoo.com/record-seeking-skydiver-makes-13-mile-test-jump-233204849.html
Baumgartner lifted off Thursday[March 15] for a test jump from Roswell, N.M., aboard a 100-foot helium balloon. He rode inside a pressurized capsule to 71,581 feet — 13.6 miles — and then jumped. He parachuted to a safe landing, according to project spokeswoman Trish Medalen.

He's aiming for nearly 23 miles this summer. The record is 19.5 miles.
. . . .
He's caught NASA's attention, even though space officially begins much higher at an even 100 kilometers, 328,084 feet or 62 miles.

Kittinger is now 83 and one of Baumgartner's chief advisers. A former NASA flight director directs the medical team: Dr. Jonathan Clark, whose astronaut wife, Laurel, was killed aboard space shuttle Columbia in 2003. The accident led Clark to become an expert in spacecraft emergency escape.
. . . .

Some video on BBC - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17410044

Video of Roswell jump
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9147907/Supersonic-edge-of-space-base-jumper-Felix-Baumgartner-completes-Roswell-test-jump.html


RedBullStratos page - http://www.redbullstratos.com/
 


Danger said:
You just did...
yea.. i kinda did.
I think i should start another one: how does one delete a pointless thread in PF?
hmm..
its just that the idea of throwing yourself to Earth at 37km with nothing but a pressure suit (and a parachute that only opens when you break the sound barrier) seems fantastic
 


Astronuc said:
RedBullStratos page - http://www.redbullstratos.com/
nice link, thanks!

The uninflated suit, without the helmet and visor, weighs approximately 28 pounds. The helmet weighs about 8 pounds.

37 lbs?! they said a thin pressure suit
 


could somebody add a reply to this thread on Felix Baumgart
 


natasha d said:
yea.. i kinda did.
I think i should start another one: how does one delete a pointless thread in PF?
hmm..

It's not at all pointless. Contrarywise, it's quite interesting. I was just making a funny about your choice of phrasing. Coincidentally, the first that I heard of this was on "Daily Planet" an hour or so before reading your post.
 
I've seen the Joe Kittinger video on YouTube about 100 times, it's amazing :)

I'm happy to hear about this, and I look forward to seeing some good footage from the big jump!
 
Will he have to breathe oxygen for 2 hours to prep for this like the current record holder, or will his pressure suit keep him from getting decompression sickness? I'm fully intrigued by the idea of a astronaut being able to make reentry in only a suit, but a long prep time detracts from the usefulness somewhat (though starting from space and coming down isn't the same as going up first unsheltered).
 

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