3mpire 0 #1 October 24, 2014 http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/25/science/alan-eustace-jumps-from-stratosphere-breaking-felix-baumgartners-world-record.html?_r=0 QuoteROSWELL, N.M. — A well-known computer scientist parachuted from a balloon near the top of the stratosphere on Friday, falling faster than the speed of sound and breaking the world altitude record set just two years ago. The jump was made by Alan Eustace, 57, a senior vice president at Google. At dawn he was lifted by a balloon filled with 35,000 cubic feet of helium, from an abandoned runway at the airport here. For a little over two hours, the balloon ascended at speeds up to 1,600 feet per minute to an altitude of 135,908 feet, more than 25 miles. Mr. Eustace dangled underneath in a specially designed spacesuit with an elaborate life-support system. He returned to earth just 15 minutes after starting his fall. . “It was amazing,” he said. “It was beautiful. You could see the darkness of space and you could see the layers of atmosphere, which I had never seen before.” Mr. Eustace cut himself loose from the balloon with the aid of a small explosive device and plummeted toward the earth at a speeds that peaked at more than 800 miles per hour, setting off a small sonic boom heard by observers on the ground. Discuss. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AStack75 4 #2 October 24, 2014 If someone jumps from 135,908 ft but doesn't have Red Bull to spend months/years marketing the jump, did it ever really happen? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 2,190 #3 October 24, 2014 Love it. Kittenger's record stands for decades. He then helps Baumgartner break it with years of planning, hype, and hoopla. The next thing we know. an Internet billionaire quietly spends enough money to break it two years later. Money can't buy me love. But it can sure buy lots of joy!Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
catfishhunter 2 #4 October 24, 2014 Where is the video? You only see a small lift off then a balloon up high. something doesn't smell legit to me. Anyone here involved? Would like to hear from James Hayhurst MAKE EVERY DAY COUNT Life is Short and we never know how long we are going to have. We must live life to the fullest EVERY DAY. Everything we do should have a greater purpose. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NWFlyer 2 #5 October 24, 2014 catfishhunterWhere is the video? You only see a small lift off then a balloon up high. something doesn't smell legit to me. Anyone here involved? Would like to hear from James Hayhurst Well, unless the Times is making up quotes, Hayhurst was involved in certifying the record. QuoteJames Hayhurst, director of competition at the United States Parachute Association, who verified the record, described the venture as “legitimate science.” “I think they’re putting a little lookout tower at the edge of space that the common man can share,” he said."There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stayhigh 2 #6 October 24, 2014 So this is the google dude that used to rent Gypsy all day long. I guess it is not so secret anymore.Bernie Sanders for President 2016 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
councilman24 37 #7 October 24, 2014 PERFECT! I'm old for my age. Terry Urban D-8631 FAA DPRE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AStack75 4 #8 October 24, 2014 http://www.paragonsdc.com/stratex/ Some more info on the project including the team which included UPT. Site might be slow loading. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,357 #9 October 24, 2014 Hi 3, QuoteDiscuss. It's just beginning and will go on for a very long time. Fantastic; and nice to see an 'old guy' out doing this stuff. I guess we know one of the rigs that UPT will have at their booth at the next Symposium. What's next; a 2-way from 135,000 ft? Jerry Baumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hillson 0 #10 October 24, 2014 Now I know why Vigil bumped the arming altitude above 150ft AGL...lol. Good stuff. Secret projects are cool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
3mpire 0 #11 October 24, 2014 I like the lower tech approach (relatively speaking). While it sounds like some serious engineering went into the suit, eliminating the capsule from the equation entirely is interesting. It requires more out of the suit, but it also seems (at first blush) to eliminate some layers of complexity from the jump. Fewer moving parts prone to murphy's law, so to speak. Makes you wonder what would happen if you put a fixed wing on the jumpers back--how far horizontally could they go from that alt? World record for longest cross country distance covered by a human in freefall sounds like the next mountain to climb to me :) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AlanS 1 #12 October 24, 2014 So any video from the actual jump? I'd like to know if he avoided the spin that Baumgartner had just as the effect of the Earth's atmosphere were beginning to kick in. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jakee 1,489 #13 October 24, 2014 The article suggest he was drogue stabilised for the freefall (but who knows with journalists) so he shouldn't have had the same stability problems as Felix. Also, I got a kick out of this "Mr. Eustace was carried aloft without the aid of the sophisticated capsule used by Mr. Baumgartner or millions of dollars in sponsorship money." No kidding, when you earn $20M a year you're free from the shackles of RedBull! Do you want to have an ideagasm? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strife 0 #14 October 24, 2014 jakeeThe article suggest he was drogue stabilised for the freefall (but who knows with journalists) so he shouldn't have had the same stability problems as Felix. :P] The records indicate that as well CLASSIFICATION: Class G—Parachuting Sub-class: G-2 (Performance Records) Category: General Group: Altitude/Fall Records Type of record: Exit Altitude Location: Roswell, NM (USA) Performance: 41,420 meters (135,890 feet) Parachutist: Alan Eustace (USA) Date: 24.10.2014 and Sub-class: G-2 (Performance Records) Category: General Group: Altitude/Fall Records Type of record: Distance of Fall with drogue/stabilizing device Course/location: Roswell, NM (USA) Performance: 37,617 meters (123,414 feet) Parachutist: Alan Eustace (USA) Date: 24.10.2014 and Sub-class: G-2 (Performance Records) Category: General Group: Vertical Speed Records Type of record: Vertical Speed with drogue/stabilizing device Course/location: Roswell, NM (USA) Performance: 1,321 km/hour (821 MPH, MACH 1.23) Parachutist: Alan Eustace (USA) Date: 24.10.2014 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
keithbar 1 #15 October 24, 2014 tiny bit of video on the CBS Evening Newsi have on occasion been accused of pulling low . My response. Naw I wasn't low I'm just such a big guy I look closer than I really am . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuckakers 425 #16 October 24, 2014 gowlerkLove it. Kittenger's record stands for decades. He then helps Baumgartner break it with years of planning, hype, and hoopla. The next thing we know. an Internet billionaire quietly spends enough money to break it two years later. Money can't buy me love. But it can sure buy lots of joy! One *minor* difference if the article read is accurate. Sounds like this jump was drogue assisted. Felix went balls out.Chuck Akers D-10855 Houston, TX Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pchapman 279 #17 October 25, 2014 As the NY Times article stated, "He performed two slow backflips before a small parachute righted him." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpsalot-2 3 #18 October 25, 2014 strife***The article suggest he was drogue stabilised for the freefall (but who knows with journalists) so he shouldn't have had the same stability problems as Felix. :P] The records indicate that as well CLASSIFICATION: Class G—Parachuting Sub-class: G-2 (Performance Records) Category: General Group: Altitude/Fall Records Type of record: Exit Altitude Location: Roswell, NM (USA) Performance: 41,420 meters (135,890 feet) Parachutist: Alan Eustace (USA) Date: 24.10.2014 and Sub-class: G-2 (Performance Records) Category: General Group: Altitude/Fall Records Type of record: Distance of Fall with drogue/stabilizing device Course/location: Roswell, NM (USA) Performance: 37,617 meters (123,414 feet) Parachutist: Alan Eustace (USA) Date: 24.10.2014 and Sub-class: G-2 (Performance Records) Category: General Group: Vertical Speed Records Type of record: Vertical Speed with drogue/stabilizing device Course/location: Roswell, NM (USA) Performance: 1,321 km/hour (821 MPH, MACH 1.23) Parachutist: Alan Eustace (USA) Date: 24.10.2014QuoteThe way I read this, Felix would still have the Free Fall record for total distance ( no drogue).Life is short ... jump often. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites gowlerk 2,190 #19 October 25, 2014 Kittenger's jump was also drogue assisted. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/121008-joseph-kittinger-felix-baumgartner-skydive-science/ [inline Kittenger_exit.jpg]Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites FB1609 0 #20 October 25, 2014 Awesome! Congrats to all that made it happen, Paragon, UPT, PD, Vigil, and $ from all us google users! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites billbooth 10 #21 October 25, 2014 The best thing about this record, in my opinion, is that Alan is one of the nicest, most unassuming people I've ever met. He was truly more interested in the science (and the adventure) than any fame this fantastic achievement might bring him. He is truly one of us, and someone all of us should be proud of. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JerryBaumchen 1,357 #22 October 25, 2014 Hi gowlerk, Quote Kittenger's jump A little trivia quiz for you: What type of back pack rig is Col. Joe using? It is ( IMO ) a predecessor to all modern rigs. Jerry Baumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites gowlerk 2,190 #23 October 25, 2014 JerryBaumchen Hi gowlerk, Quote Kittenger's jump A little trivia quiz for you: What type of back pack rig is Col. Joe using? It is ( IMO ) a predecessor to all modern rigs. Jerry Baumchen Sorry, I don't know. Maybe you could tell me? Also, I'm wondering about what kind of AOD saved his life on November 16, 1959 when he lost consciousness on the first high altitude attempt because of a spin with no drogue? Must be one of the first saves of it's kind. Edit: Or rather, there was a drogue, but before it could deploy cleanly he became entangled (around the neck) with it's P/C bridle.Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites TBRigging 0 #24 October 25, 2014 Well said Bill. Alan has been great to work with. billboothThe best thing about this record, in my opinion, is that Alan is one of the nicest, most unassuming people I've ever met. He was truly more interested in the science (and the adventure) than any fame this fantastic achievement might bring him. He is truly one of us, and someone all of us should be proud of. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites strife 0 #25 October 25, 2014 I think Felix still has these Status: ratified - current record Region: World Class: G (Parachuting) Sub-Class: G-2 (Performance Records) Category: General Group: Altitude Records Type of record: Freefall distance Performance: 36 402.6 m Date: 2012-10-14 Course/Location: Roswell, NM (USA) Claimant Felix Baumgartner (AUT) Status: ratified - current record Region: World Class: G (Parachuting) Sub-Class: G-2 (Performance Records) Category: General Group: Vertical Speed Records Type of record: Vertical speed without drogue Performance: 1 357.6 km/h Date: 2012-10-14 Course/Location: Roswell, NM (USA) Claimant Felix Baumgartner (AUT) Status: ratified - current record Region: World Class: G (Parachuting) Sub-Class: G-2 (Performance Records) Category: General Group: Altitude Records Type of record: Exit altitude Performance: 38 969.4 m Date: 2012-10-14 Course/Location: Roswell, NM (USA) Claimant Felix Baumgartner (AUT) hopefully we see a full video of this explaining it, the short almost makes it look like in a few years this could be a commodity skydive. Well done to all involved Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Prev 1 2 3 Next Page 1 of 3 Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
gowlerk 2,190 #19 October 25, 2014 Kittenger's jump was also drogue assisted. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2012/10/121008-joseph-kittinger-felix-baumgartner-skydive-science/ [inline Kittenger_exit.jpg]Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FB1609 0 #20 October 25, 2014 Awesome! Congrats to all that made it happen, Paragon, UPT, PD, Vigil, and $ from all us google users! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billbooth 10 #21 October 25, 2014 The best thing about this record, in my opinion, is that Alan is one of the nicest, most unassuming people I've ever met. He was truly more interested in the science (and the adventure) than any fame this fantastic achievement might bring him. He is truly one of us, and someone all of us should be proud of. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,357 #22 October 25, 2014 Hi gowlerk, Quote Kittenger's jump A little trivia quiz for you: What type of back pack rig is Col. Joe using? It is ( IMO ) a predecessor to all modern rigs. Jerry Baumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 2,190 #23 October 25, 2014 JerryBaumchen Hi gowlerk, Quote Kittenger's jump A little trivia quiz for you: What type of back pack rig is Col. Joe using? It is ( IMO ) a predecessor to all modern rigs. Jerry Baumchen Sorry, I don't know. Maybe you could tell me? Also, I'm wondering about what kind of AOD saved his life on November 16, 1959 when he lost consciousness on the first high altitude attempt because of a spin with no drogue? Must be one of the first saves of it's kind. Edit: Or rather, there was a drogue, but before it could deploy cleanly he became entangled (around the neck) with it's P/C bridle.Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TBRigging 0 #24 October 25, 2014 Well said Bill. Alan has been great to work with. billboothThe best thing about this record, in my opinion, is that Alan is one of the nicest, most unassuming people I've ever met. He was truly more interested in the science (and the adventure) than any fame this fantastic achievement might bring him. He is truly one of us, and someone all of us should be proud of. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
strife 0 #25 October 25, 2014 I think Felix still has these Status: ratified - current record Region: World Class: G (Parachuting) Sub-Class: G-2 (Performance Records) Category: General Group: Altitude Records Type of record: Freefall distance Performance: 36 402.6 m Date: 2012-10-14 Course/Location: Roswell, NM (USA) Claimant Felix Baumgartner (AUT) Status: ratified - current record Region: World Class: G (Parachuting) Sub-Class: G-2 (Performance Records) Category: General Group: Vertical Speed Records Type of record: Vertical speed without drogue Performance: 1 357.6 km/h Date: 2012-10-14 Course/Location: Roswell, NM (USA) Claimant Felix Baumgartner (AUT) Status: ratified - current record Region: World Class: G (Parachuting) Sub-Class: G-2 (Performance Records) Category: General Group: Altitude Records Type of record: Exit altitude Performance: 38 969.4 m Date: 2012-10-14 Course/Location: Roswell, NM (USA) Claimant Felix Baumgartner (AUT) hopefully we see a full video of this explaining it, the short almost makes it look like in a few years this could be a commodity skydive. Well done to all involved Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
