Supersonic "Stoop"

[Shaky]

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/

Yeah, but can he catch a pigeon?

[Dumpsterkitty]

Yeah, but can he catch a pigeon?

With his feet

[Annette]

Yeah, but can he catch a pigeon?

With his feet

[Shaky]

They aborted today's attempt. Too windy for the balloon.

[nycbird]

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.

[Donna]

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.

[nycbird]

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.

[Donna]

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! 

[OlRedHair]

Wow, aboul Col Rankin.  I'm going to read that!

[Donna]

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/ 50,500 feet

-91 degrees below F