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Title: Supersonic "Stoop" Post by: Shaky on 09-Oct-12, 12:34:25 PM If all goes as planned today, Felix Baumgartner will step off a small platform and skydive into history.
Baumgartner will climb to around 23 miles (37 kilometers) above New Mexico in a pressurized capsule attached to history's largest helium balloon—55 stories tall and as wide as a football field. When the weather is right and all systems are go, he'll exit the capsule in a pressurized suit and free-fall to Earth. Baumgartner's team estimates the Austrian sky diver and helicopter pilot will reach Mach 1.2—roughly 690 miles (1,110 kilometers) an hour—and free-fall for five and a half minutes before opening a parachute at 5,000 feet (1,524) to float him to the ground. Watch it live staring at 1 PM EDT. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/121008-felix-baumgartner-skydive-how-to-watch-live-video/ (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/121008-felix-baumgartner-skydive-how-to-watch-live-video/) Yeah, but can he catch a pigeon? Title: Re: Supersonic "Stoop" Post by: Dumpsterkitty on 09-Oct-12, 01:03:20 PM Title: Re: Supersonic "Stoop" Post by: Annette on 09-Oct-12, 01:12:46 PM Yeah, but can he catch a pigeon? With his feetTitle: Re: Supersonic "Stoop" Post by: Shaky on 09-Oct-12, 02:24:48 PM They aborted today's attempt. Too windy for the balloon.
Title: Re: Supersonic "Stoop" Post by: nycbird on 09-Oct-12, 03:41:58 PM If he does get it done, it sound like an easy trip. If you want to read a hair raising trip from way up there,
give a read to The Man Who Rode the Thunder by LtCol William Rankin. He was forced to ditch at 47,000 ft with his flight suit as his protection. He was badly beat up but he survived. I met him when I was on duty at MCAS Cherry Point, N.C. Title: Re: Supersonic "Stoop" Post by: Donna on 09-Oct-12, 08:03:18 PM http://www.habu.org/sr-71/17965a.html (http://www.habu.org/sr-71/17965a.html)
My uncle John Carnochan. Sadly, he and his wife were horrifically murdered last month by his wifes grandson, (his 2nd marriage). From the stories of family members, they were trying to break the sound barrier, if that's what you call it on that flight. Title: Re: Supersonic "Stoop" Post by: nycbird on 09-Oct-12, 10:37:43 PM Donna, the sound barrier was broken 20 years earlier than your uncle's flight. I suspect he broke the barrier shortly after he hit the after burners on take-off. Your uncle looks to be well protected for high flying in that suit he is wearing.
Title: Re: Supersonic "Stoop" Post by: Donna on 09-Oct-12, 10:41:30 PM Donna, the sound barrier was broken 20 years earlier than your uncle's flight. I suspect he broke the barrier shortly after he hit the after burners on take-off. Your uncle looks to be well protected for high flying in that suit he is wearing. Well, he was doing something with the speed of sound! I was just a little kid! :devil: Title: Re: Supersonic "Stoop" Post by: OlRedHair on 10-Oct-12, 08:10:46 AM Wow, aboul Col Rankin. I'm going to read that!
Title: Re: Supersonic "Stoop" Post by: Donna on 14-Oct-12, 12:18:36 PM I think he's going to jump soon. Thanks nyc
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/121014-felix-baumgartner-skydive-how-to-watch-live-feed-video/ (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/121014-felix-baumgartner-skydive-how-to-watch-live-feed-video/) 50,500 feet -91 degrees below F |