Comments on: Skydiver to jump from edge of space http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Tue, 18 Jun 2013 05:23:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Snig http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833287 Snig Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833287 That's almost a marathon, straight down. That’s almost a marathon, straight down.

]]> By: David Pescovitz http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833289 David Pescovitz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833289 Corrected! Thank you. Corrected! Thank you.

]]> By: David Carroll http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833306 David Carroll Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833306 Re-entry heat is not an issue. If you are coming back from orbit you are going around 7600 m/s. If you are falling from a balloon you never get much faster than 340 m/s. (They are actually trying to break Mach 1). As the atmosphere thickens you go even slower. Re-entry heat is not an issue. If you are coming back from orbit you are going around 7600 m/s.

If you are falling from a balloon you never get much faster than 340 m/s. (They are actually trying to break Mach 1). As the atmosphere thickens you go even slower.

]]> By: cinemajay http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833312 cinemajay Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833312 Forget the diver, I want a ride in that (apparent) space-copter in the photo! Forget the diver, I want a ride in that (apparent) space-copter in the photo!

]]> By: Editz http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833317 Editz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833317 Risky stuff: "The last person to try to break the highest free fall record died in the attempt. In 1965, New Jersey truck driver Nick Piantanida suffered catastrophic equipment failure when his facemask blew out at 57,000 feet. Lack of oxygen caused such severe brain damage that he went into a coma and died four months later." Risky stuff:

“The last person to try to break the highest free fall record died in the attempt. In 1965, New Jersey truck driver Nick Piantanida suffered catastrophic equipment failure when his facemask blew out at 57,000 feet. Lack of oxygen caused such severe brain damage that he went into a coma and died four months later.”

]]> By: Narmitaj http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833319 Narmitaj Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833319 I guess Red Bull doesn't give you wings. Just a parachute. I guess Red Bull doesn’t give you wings. Just a parachute.

]]> By: Gilbert Wham http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833324 Gilbert Wham Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833324 Someone gunning for the X-Prize used such a system, IIRC. Someone gunning for the X-Prize used such a system, IIRC.

]]> By: Agies http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833340 Agies Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833340 Why would you want a generic picture of a balloon skydive when the above picture is of the man who will attempt the jump? Why would you want a generic picture of a balloon skydive when the above picture is of the man who will attempt the jump?

]]> By: dbarak http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833609 dbarak Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833609 Actually, I'm very, very aware of how auto-rotation work (I've been through 'em many, many times in the Navy), but I may misunderstand how the rotors work in the case of this hypothetical spacecraft. I believe the space application may be SIMILAR to auto-rotation. Actually, I’m very, very aware of how auto-rotation work (I’ve been through ‘em many, many times in the Navy), but I may misunderstand how the rotors work in the case of this hypothetical spacecraft. I believe the space application may be SIMILAR to auto-rotation.

]]> By: chroma http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833356 chroma Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833356 Just to clarify, he will indeed be using a balloon: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18427-space-diver-to-attempt-first-supersonic-freefall.html Thanks to Anon for Googling for me, here's an article that describes some of the problems another would-be record breaker had with a balloon: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24821986/ Just to clarify, he will indeed be using a balloon:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn18427-space-diver-to-attempt-first-supersonic-freefall.html

Thanks to Anon for Googling for me, here’s an article that describes some of the problems another would-be record breaker had with a balloon:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24821986/

]]> By: chroma http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833366 chroma Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833366 It's been thought of, and worked on. JP Aerospace, for instance, is one company working on getting to space via a balloon. We think of balloons as being very simple devices, but that's just not the case when you have a really big balloon. How do you keep it from getting any holes? How do you inflate it? What happens if the wind picks up? It’s been thought of, and worked on. JP Aerospace, for instance, is one company working on getting to space via a balloon.

We think of balloons as being very simple devices, but that’s just not the case when you have a really big balloon. How do you keep it from getting any holes? How do you inflate it? What happens if the wind picks up?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833372 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833372 I don't see how he is a hero. Gutsy, yes. Not to take anything away from him but in my book a hero is someone who volunteers to risk their life/limb/wealth for someone else. He probably did it for the excitement and "going where no man has gone before" experience. Still very cool though. I don’t see how he is a hero. Gutsy, yes. Not to take anything away from him but in my book a hero is someone who volunteers to risk their life/limb/wealth for someone else. He probably did it for the excitement and “going where no man has gone before” experience.

Still very cool though.

]]> By: Halloween Jack http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833632 Halloween Jack Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833632 A number of people have made plans to take a crack at the record--Michel Fournier was ready to try when his balloon broke free of its moorings, a couple of years ago, and <a href="http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/9.08/space.html">here's a Wired article from 2001</a> about the then-current attempts. One of the projected problems is "spinning out"--if someone goes into a horizontal spin while they're supersonic, the centrifugal forces could tear them apart. Another problem is just getting the money to do it. A number of people have made plans to take a crack at the record–Michel Fournier was ready to try when his balloon broke free of its moorings, a couple of years ago, and here’s a Wired article from 2001 about the then-current attempts. One of the projected problems is “spinning out”–if someone goes into a horizontal spin while they’re supersonic, the centrifugal forces could tear them apart. Another problem is just getting the money to do it.

]]> By: robulus http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833639 robulus Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833639 <blockquote>One of the projected problems is "spinning out"--if someone goes into a horizontal spin while they're supersonic, the centrifugal forces could tear them apart.</blockquote> On the one hand that would be a tragic loss of life, but on the other hand it would look AWESOME.

One of the projected problems is “spinning out”–if someone goes into a horizontal spin while they’re supersonic, the centrifugal forces could tear them apart.

On the one hand that would be a tragic loss of life, but on the other hand it would look AWESOME.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-835200 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-835200 can anyone tell me how long this jump is expected to last? is it minutes ? the thought of this gives me goosebumps! can anyone tell me how long this jump is expected to last? is it minutes ? the thought of this gives me goosebumps!

]]> By: Phlip http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833410 Phlip Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833410 I hate the internet. After then-Captain Kittinger jumped out of his balloon... WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BALLOON??? Did it just sail away? Is it in the Pacific Gyre now?? None of the web pages say that! I hate the internet.

After then-Captain Kittinger jumped out of his balloon…

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE BALLOON???

Did it just sail away? Is it in the Pacific Gyre now??

None of the web pages say that!

]]> By: Phlip http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833413 Phlip Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833413 Kittinger did it to research how to safely bail out of planes at very high altitude. He tested the parachute they invented, the only way you can test a parachute. Hero. Kittinger did it to research how to safely bail out of planes at very high altitude. He tested the parachute they invented, the only way you can test a parachute. Hero.

]]> By: jaypee http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833160 jaypee Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833160 The trailer for this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyGmTV0q2kY) always brings a tear to my eye. Joseph Kittinger is a hero and it's pretty amazing that he's fully on board with this project. The trailer for this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyGmTV0q2kY) always brings a tear to my eye. Joseph Kittinger is a hero and it’s pretty amazing that he’s fully on board with this project.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833161 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833161 Felix Baumgartner isn't an Australian. He is form Austria: No Kangaroos! :-) Greets Felix Baumgartner isn’t an Australian. He is form Austria: No Kangaroos! :-)
Greets

]]> By: Duffong http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833417 Duffong Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833417 For anyone who wants to watch a really nice version of the Kittinger jump, may I recommend Boards of Canada - Dayvan Cowboy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrBZeWjGjl8 For anyone who wants to watch a really nice version of the Kittinger jump, may I recommend Boards of Canada – Dayvan Cowboy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrBZeWjGjl8

]]> By: David Pescovitz http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833164 David Pescovitz Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833164 Yes, I met Kittinger at Maker Faire a few years ago and he was a delight. Warm, smart, and, er, down to Earth. Yes, I met Kittinger at Maker Faire a few years ago and he was a delight. Warm, smart, and, er, down to Earth.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833173 Brainspore Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833173 Buzz Lightyear lives. Buzz Lightyear lives.

]]> By: dbarak http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833431 dbarak Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833431 Nah, helicopters won't operate that high. In fact, they have major problems at one fourth that altitude. And that's only the helos that can make it up that far to begin with. However, there is/was a proposed reentry system for aircraft that would extend rotor blades out near the top of the nose, and it would auto-rotate all the way through reentry to landing. The ever-increasing lift provided by the rotor blades would keep it descending at a relatively slow rate. Nah, helicopters won’t operate that high. In fact, they have major problems at one fourth that altitude. And that’s only the helos that can make it up that far to begin with.

However, there is/was a proposed reentry system for aircraft that would extend rotor blades out near the top of the nose, and it would auto-rotate all the way through reentry to landing. The ever-increasing lift provided by the rotor blades would keep it descending at a relatively slow rate.

]]> By: dbarak http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833434 dbarak Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833434 Break like the wind, kemosabe. Break like the wind, kemosabe.

]]> By: jasonjayr http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833185 jasonjayr Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833185 It's not flying, it's falling, with style! It’s not flying, it’s falling, with style!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833186 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833186 austria != australia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Baumgartner austria != australia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felix_Baumgartner

]]> By: Bevatron Repairman http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833192 Bevatron Repairman Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833192 The flight surgeon was married to one of the mission specialists who died on Columbia. Decided he'd spend some time working on space escape systems and this clearly works into that. Neat project. The flight surgeon was married to one of the mission specialists who died on Columbia. Decided he’d spend some time working on space escape systems and this clearly works into that. Neat project.

]]> By: wgmleslie http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833453 wgmleslie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833453 Came here to post the very same link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrBZeWjGjl8 Came here to post the very same link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrBZeWjGjl8

]]> By: merreborn http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833203 merreborn Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833203 <blockquote>These systems, particularly during the test and development phase, need a potential escape system, which we may be able to help them provide with the knowledge we gain...</blockquote> <blockquote>...skills needed to navigate the conditions expected to assail him as soon as he opens his vessel door.</blockqutote> I can't wait to see the infographic cards they stick in seat pockets on space planes. "In event of emergency, seal pressure suit.... when entering troposphere, prepare for increased turbulence..."

These systems, particularly during the test and development phase, need a potential escape system, which we may be able to help them provide with the knowledge we gain…

…skills needed to navigate the conditions expected to assail him as soon as he opens his vessel door.
I can’t wait to see the infographic cards they stick in seat pockets on space planes.

“In event of emergency, seal pressure suit…. when entering troposphere, prepare for increased turbulence…”

]]> By: endymion http://boingboing.net/2010/07/13/skydiver-to-jump-fro.html#comment-833216 endymion Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-833216 I experience a queasy pang in my lower belly just reading this article, literally. Amazing the diversity of human interests. I experience a queasy pang in my lower belly just reading this article, literally. Amazing the diversity of human interests.

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