Why Did Felix Baumgartner Jump From 128,000 Feet Instead of Going Higher?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the reasons for Felix Baumgartner's jump from approximately 120,000 feet, exploring the limitations of altitude, the nature of the atmosphere, and the technical aspects of the jump. Participants engage in both speculative reasoning and technical explanations regarding the jump's altitude and the implications of spinning during freefall.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question why Baumgartner did not jump from a higher altitude, suggesting that there may be limitations related to the balloon's capabilities or the suit's ratings.
  • Others argue that the atmosphere does not have a defined boundary, complicating the question of how much higher one could go before "leaving" it.
  • There are conflicting views on the altitude classification, with some stating that 120,000 feet is in the thermosphere, while others correct this to indicate it is below the mesosphere.
  • Participants discuss the implications of Baumgartner's spinning during the jump, with concerns about potential risks such as blacking out or complications with the parachute deployment.
  • Some express curiosity about the maximum speed achieved during the jump, with varying claims about whether he broke previous records and the accuracy of speed measurements.
  • Technical details are provided regarding the balloon's float altitude and the mechanics of helium pressure affecting ascent.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on several points, including the classification of the jump's altitude, the risks associated with spinning, and the specifics of speed records. Multiple competing views remain throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include unresolved assumptions about the balloon's capabilities, the definitions of atmospheric layers, and the accuracy of speed measurements. The discussion reflects a mix of technical reasoning and speculative inquiry without definitive conclusions.

uperkurk
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Why only 120,00ft? How much higher could he go before he is like 5,000ft from leaving the atmospshere never to return again?
 
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120,000 ft is already about twice the Kármán line, and right in the thermosphere. For reference, the ISS orbits in the thermosphere.
 
uperkurk said:
How much higher could he go before he is like 5,000ft from leaving the atmospshere never to return again?
The question makes little sense: the atmosphere doesn't have a defined boundary from which to measure being 5,000 ft below it.
 
uperkurk said:
Why only 120,00ft? How much higher could he go before he is like 5,000ft from leaving the atmospshere never to return again?

He is in a balloon, not a rocket. He cannot leave the atmosphere and not come back.
 
So why not just go as high as possible and then jump? Why stop at 120,000 ft?
 
uperkurk said:
So why not just go as high as possible and then jump? Why stop at 120,000 ft?

Dunno. His balloon may not be capable of going any higher for one. I'm sure there are other issues involved at increasing altitude.
 
maybe his suit is also only rated for a certain height or something
 
It may be a matter of duration - how long it takes to get there, then fall.

I would love to do that!

I'd settle for a wingsuit from the top of the clouds.
 
Astronuc said:
I'd settle for a wingsuit from the top of the clouds.
That beard would cause some unstable flight dynamics I think. :smile:
 
  • #10
jhae2.718 said:
120,000 ft is already about twice the Kármán line, and right in the thermosphere. For reference, the ISS orbits in the thermosphere.

I think your math is a little off. 120k ft is just over 36km, the karman line is 100 km. That puts him below the mesosphere and into the stratosphere.
 
  • #11
JonDE said:
I think your math is a little off. 120k ft is just over 36km, the karman line is 100 km. That puts him below the mesosphere and into the stratosphere.

You're right; in fact it's more than a little off. That's what I get for doing arithmetic in my head instead of MATLAB. Somehow I translated 62 mi into 62,000 ft.
 
  • #13
God did not intend Man to do this.
In fact, God didn't intend Man to anything since one of them doesn't exist.
This stunt won't improve that situation.

When people wish to die by falling, they ought to have the courtesy to let their death scream precede them, rather than postcede them.
 
  • #14
The jump is due any moment now, BBC news 24 is focused on it.
 
  • #15
that was pretty awesome

I'm really glad he made it safe
 
  • #16
Did he break the speed of sound?

He should have went higher and tried to break the speed of light.
 
  • #17
Just saw it now , he didn't manage to break the world record i think because he deployed his parachute at 4 min 19 seconds.
 
  • #18
I believe that he broke Kittinger's record for 614 mph freefall speed, but spent less time free falling.

I think he got to like 729 mph? Though of course I guess they have to verify it however they do that.
 
  • #19
SHISHKABOB said:
I believe that he broke Kittinger's record for 614 mph freefall speed, but spent less time free falling.

I think he got to like 729 mph? Though of course I guess they have to verify it however they do that.

I think he got a little higher than that about 800+ but he slowed down afterwards.
 
  • #20
There was a great moment when he regained the control - there was a moment when he was spinning faster and faster, but apparently the air density got high enough and in a split second he had things under control and was flying head first.

Nobody commented on that in Polish TV where I watched the jump, apparently they had no idea what they were seeing.
 
  • #21
Borek said:
There was a great moment when he regained the control - there was a moment when he was spinning faster and faster, but apparently the air density got high enough and in a split second he had things under control and was flying head first.

Nobody commented on that in Polish TV where I watched the jump, apparently they had no idea what they were seeing.

Just wondering why they didn't fit a camera into his helmet...and on a lighter note what tune would you play as your freefalling...'eye of the tiger'...?
 
  • #23
Greg Bernhardt said:
Anyone have a video link?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEYWbAeGX4A
 
  • #24
The spinning moment is not present in this video.
 
  • #25
Borek said:
The spinning moment is not present in this video.

it's real blurry and hard to tell but at like 2:41 you can see that he's spinning

when it cuts to the mission control people moments later you can see one of the dudes making a spinny motion with his hands

but yeah I was watching the live steam and for a while you could really see him spinning fast. There's probably better videos out there.
 
  • #26
I noticed spinning but it was for very short time. He lost control for like one second from what appears to be in the video
 
  • #27
As far as I remember the moment with spinning and regaining control was just when the view got back from the mission control to falling FB. That's cut out.
 
  • #30
rootX said:
Their conversion looks wrong?
http://www.unitarium.com/speed
Maybe Mach 1.096?

I think that they adjusted the speed of sound for his altitude
 

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