Red Bull Stratos - Mission to the edge of space

[lanepe]

This is aces. To take place later this year from New Mexico. Hope it's shown live on telly. Although they might want to wait until they know whether he survives before showing it!

Mission Attempts 1. First to Reach Supersonic Speed in Freefall: First person to break the speed of sound and achieve Mach 1 in freefall, estimated 690 mph, with further acceleration possible, 2. Freefall from Highest Altitude: Expected jump from 120,000 ft, 3. Longest Freefall Time: Expected freefall of 5 minutes, 35 seconds or more, 4. Highest Manned Balloon Flight: Expected ascent to 120,000 ft

Click on 'Explore the mission' http://www.redbullstratos.com/

[La Bombonera]

Blue Stratos was way better

[brighton_eagle]

Originally Posted by lanepe

This is aces. To take place later this year from New Mexico. Hope it's shown live on telly. Although they might want to wait until they know whether he survives before showing it!

Mission Attempts 1. First to Reach Supersonic Speed in Freefall: First person to break the speed of sound and achieve Mach 1 in freefall, estimated 690 mph, with further acceleration possible, 2. Freefall from Highest Altitude: Expected jump from 120,000 ft, 3. Longest Freefall Time: Expected freefall of 5 minutes, 35 seconds or more, 4. Highest Manned Balloon Flight: Expected ascent to 120,000 ft

Click on 'Explore the mission' http://www.redbullstratos.com/

How is the first one possible? Interesting, I imagine because of the height and the thinness of the atmosphere the terminal velocity would be increased? Headfirst too I guess, but even still.

Based on wind resistance, for example, the terminal velocity of a skydiver in a belly-to-earth (ie:face down) free-fall position is about 195 km/h (122 mph or 54 m/s).

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

[brighton_eagle]

Should have read the site:

Red Bull Stratos team members agree that the projected altitude for Felix's jump is a key factor in achieving mission goals. The same thin atmosphere that presents so many physiological hazards can also be Felix's ally when it comes to going supersonic. Although Felix will be above 99 percent of the Earth's atmosphere, when he steps off from the capsule he won't be outside Earth's gravitational pull. Gravity will be pulling him toward the ground at a rapid rate. Plus, the thin air will present almost no resistance, hopefully minimizing the effect of shock waves and - if he can maintain a streamlined position - this will help avoid reaching "terminal velocity" (a halt in acceleration) before he breaks Mach 1.

[lanepe]

Originally Posted by brighton_eagle

How is the first one possible? Interesting, I imagine because of the height and the thinness of the atmosphere the terminal velocity would be increased? Headfirst too I guess, but even still.

Atmospheric pressure. Well lack of it. Innit.

Click on 'Explore the mission' and look at the change when he gets into the stratosphere.

[smileysmith]

I'm just jealous. I want to do it!!

[ChickenDipper]

This is Mental!!

[Biggineagle]

"hopefully minimizing the effect of shock waves" Not too certain then. Perhaps they should do a dummy run with a cow first??

[Psychokiller]

Of course if he's killed doing this several people will go on about how tragic it is that someone has died having skydived from the edge of the atmosphere and nobody will spare a thought for the poor buggers who have to clean his broken carcass up.

[FraserH]

Originally Posted by Psychokiller

Of course if he's killed doing this several people will go on about how tragic it is that someone has died having skydived from the edge of the atmosphere and nobody will spare a thought for the poor buggers who have to clean his broken carcass up.

if he hit the ground at fullspeed there probably wouldnt be much to clean up to be fair!

[Latvian Eagle]

Sounds like suicide if you ask me?!

[Maidstoned Eagle]

Originally Posted by brighton_eagle

How is the first one possible? Interesting, I imagine because of the height and the thinness of the atmosphere the terminal velocity would be increased? Headfirst too I guess, but even still.

I would say that the projected altitude for Felix's jump is a key factor in achieving mission goals. The same thin atmosphere that presents so many physiological hazards can also be Felix's ally when it comes to going supersonic. Although Felix will be above 99 percent of the Earth's atmosphere, when he steps off from the capsule he won't be outside Earth's gravitational pull. Gravity will be pulling him toward the ground at a rapid rate. Plus, the thin air will present almost no resistance, hopefully minimizing the effect of shock waves and - if he can maintain a streamlined position - this will help avoid reaching "terminal velocity" (a halt in acceleration) before he breaks Mach 1. IMHO

[Maidstoned Eagle]

Originally Posted by FraserH

if he hit the ground at fullspeed there probably wouldnt be much to clean up to be fair!

Probably get him up with a wet and dry Vax.

[MasterYoda]

Originally Posted by Psychokiller

Of course if he's killed doing this several people will go on about how tragic it is that someone has died having skydived from the edge of the atmosphere and nobody will spare a thought for the poor buggers who have to clean his broken carcass up.

Just fill in the hole after he's hit

[lanepe]

Felix completed a successful 13 mile freefall test jump yesterday.

Guardian report and picture http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012...record-attempt

There is a short video clip which is pretty cool here although they cut away when he jumps from the capsule. I imagine because some company has paid a lot of money to show the footage in the future. http://www.redbullstratos.com/

The balloon looks so flimsy as the capsule takes off!

[knowlesyUCLA]

If you had the opportunity to do this, would you?

Given all of the dangers involved. I mean 13 miles is a long, long way to fall and that is a hell of a speed. I wouldn't help but feel a bit anxious as I was about the jump off, with the blackness of space in front of me and no other option.

That said it would get the heart pumping and if you are to go out, I would rather do it that way than end up at the bottom of Michael Barrymore's swimming pool after a drugs binge.

[lanepe]

Yeah, I'd do it if given the opportunity, the training and some reassurance that my prospects of survival were reasonable. Like a shot. I'd love to.

The head down bullet stance he has to adopt would make it, err, rather intense.

[lanepe]

The attempt takes place tomorrow:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012...space-freefall

I wish him luck!

[weltklasse]

this is the guy they need to beat

[1905]

After being postponed a few times it looks like it could be happening anytime now, live link below....