Comments on: Free-fall from stratosphere, live now http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:02:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Michael Smith http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556607 Michael Smith Mon, 15 Oct 2012 07:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556607 I want to know if he went horse riding with his wife the previous night. I want to know if he went horse riding with his wife the previous night.

]]> By: Mike Meyer http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556572 Mike Meyer Mon, 15 Oct 2012 04:31:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556572 The thought occurred to me that the Red Bull brand carries far more legitimacy for this endeavor than you'd expect.  It's fucking caffeinated sugar water, after all.   Would this stunt have been nearly as seriously if the sponsor had been Mountain Dew instead? The thought occurred to me that the Red Bull brand carries far more legitimacy for this endeavor than you’d expect.  It’s fucking caffeinated sugar water, after all.   Would this stunt have been nearly as seriously if the sponsor had been Mountain Dew instead?

]]> By: rattypilgrim http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556554 rattypilgrim Mon, 15 Oct 2012 03:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556554  A crazy guy who had how many millions or billions promised him or his family if and when he survived. You can only imagine the profit margin for Red Bull.  A crazy guy who had how many millions or billions promised him or his family if and when he survived. You can only imagine the profit margin for Red Bull.

]]> By: technogeekagain http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556552 technogeekagain Mon, 15 Oct 2012 03:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556552 RIght. And his speed then decreases as atmosphere thickens. Velocity when the chute opens should be about what it would be in any other jump. Control is irrelevant until you reach a low enough altitude that you are thinking about landing. If you're talking about landing in a precise location, OK, the possible error goes up with time of flight -- but given a steerable chute popped at a reasonable time, and a GPS, I would still expect landing not far from target. It's a well understood system, and the additional height is fun but not meaningful. Sorry about the wet blanket, but I calls hype. It's a nice stunt, but it's a stunt and not an inherently interesting one. (Which also addresses the walk-away landing. That too is standard with a modern parawing.) RIght. And his speed then decreases as atmosphere thickens. Velocity when the chute opens should be about what it would be in any other jump.

Control is irrelevant until you reach a low enough altitude that you are thinking about landing. If you’re talking about landing in a precise location, OK, the possible error goes up with time of flight — but given a steerable chute popped at a reasonable time, and a GPS, I would still expect landing not far from target. It’s a well understood system, and the additional height is fun but not meaningful.

Sorry about the wet blanket, but I calls hype. It’s a nice stunt, but it’s a stunt and not an inherently interesting one.

(Which also addresses the walk-away landing. That too is standard with a modern parawing.)

]]> By: rattypilgrim http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556553 rattypilgrim Mon, 15 Oct 2012 03:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556553  Easy to say in a skateboard park.  Easy to say in a skateboard park.

]]> By: rattypilgrim http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556551 rattypilgrim Mon, 15 Oct 2012 02:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556551  Part of the valuable data for medical and scientific advancement was to explore ways for astronauts and space tourists to exit their crafts safely in an emergency. Are you freaking kidding me? We're flying around at about a 30,000 ' altitude and what have we got? After all these years? An air bag that drops in your lap and then you're supposed to bend over and put you head between tour knees. This stunt was nothing more than Evel Kaneval taken to the nth degree and all in the name of Red Bull, a corporate entity that seems to be willing to spend (I can't even fathom, is it millions or billions) knowing they will make even bigger amounts of money from  this 21st century self advertising death defying feat. This whole scenario is right out of a Don Dellilo novel. Felix didn't break the free-fall record and I'm not sure if he broke through the sound barrier. Therein lies the next "reason" to attempt it all over again.  Part of the valuable data for medical and scientific advancement was to explore ways for astronauts and space tourists to exit their crafts safely in an emergency. Are you freaking kidding me? We’re flying around at about a 30,000 ‘ altitude and what have we got? After all these years? An air bag that drops in your lap and then you’re supposed to bend over and put you head between tour knees. This stunt was nothing more than Evel Kaneval taken to the nth degree and all in the name of Red Bull, a corporate entity that seems to be willing to spend (I can’t even fathom, is it millions or billions) knowing they will make even bigger amounts of money from  this 21st century self advertising death defying feat. This whole scenario is right out of a Don Dellilo novel. Felix didn’t break the free-fall record and I’m not sure if he broke through the sound barrier. Therein lies the next “reason” to attempt it all over again.

]]> By: beforewepost http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556549 beforewepost Mon, 15 Oct 2012 02:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556549 Yep. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/10/14/8-year-old-chuck-yeager-flies-again-re-enacts-sound-barrier-flight-on-its-65th/ Yep. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/10/14/8-year-old-chuck-yeager-flies-again-re-enacts-sound-barrier-flight-on-its-65th/

]]> By: Art http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556543 Art Mon, 15 Oct 2012 02:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556543  Is that true?  Today?  Is that true?  Today?

]]> By: Art http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556542 Art Mon, 15 Oct 2012 02:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556542 That is correct!  Oct 14,1947! That is correct!  Oct 14,1947!

]]> By: Art http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556540 Art Mon, 15 Oct 2012 02:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556540 Yeah.  Just a  "cool stunt". It's just so difficult to impress some people :( Yeah.  Just a  “cool stunt”.

It’s just so difficult to impress some people :(

]]> By: winkybb http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556539 winkybb Mon, 15 Oct 2012 02:14:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556539 No, not the same terminal velocity, regardless of start height. He reached maximum speed high in the atmosphere where the resistance is very low. The density/pressure where he started was only around 0.3% of that at sea level. A jump from a lower altitude could never reach those speeds as the air is too thick. (Note, in this case I take terminal velocity to be the speed where he no longer accelerates. I see your point about the chute at lower altitudes once he has slowed significantly) No, not the same terminal velocity, regardless of start height. He reached maximum speed high in the atmosphere where the resistance is very low. The density/pressure where he started was only around 0.3% of that at sea level. A jump from a lower altitude could never reach those speeds as the air is too thick.

(Note, in this case I take terminal velocity to be the speed where he no longer accelerates. I see your point about the chute at lower altitudes once he has slowed significantly)

]]> By: beforewepost http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556534 beforewepost Mon, 15 Oct 2012 02:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556534 Even cooler is that today, Chuck Yeager went up in an F-15 and broke the sound barrier again. Even cooler is that today, Chuck Yeager went up in an F-15 and broke the sound barrier again.

]]> By: Rusty http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556532 Rusty Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556532 Hmm. Video is showign up as 'Private' now. Hmm. Video is showign up as ‘Private’ now.

]]> By: BarBarSeven http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556529 BarBarSeven Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556529 Lack of an atmosphere at that altitude means his ability to control his descent are practically nonexistent.  You need the “friction” of a real atmosphere to control yourself.   Also, please pick up your wet towel as you leave, please. Lack of an atmosphere at that altitude means his ability to control his descent are practically nonexistent.  You need the “friction” of a real atmosphere to control yourself.  

Also, please pick up your wet towel as you leave, please.

]]> By: technogeekagain http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556524 technogeekagain Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556524 I'm still confused. Wherever he starts from, he still hits about the same terminal velocity (altered slightly by the weight of the pressure equipment). Chutes to handle that velocity are standard, off-the-shelf items. Sure, it's a long freefall, but I just don't see why it's interesting outside of that.  A difference which makes little difference is a little difference. If he was going to do a _wingsuit_ jump from that height, I'd be impressed. I’m still confused. Wherever he starts from, he still hits about the same terminal velocity (altered slightly by the weight of the pressure equipment). Chutes to handle that velocity are standard, off-the-shelf items.

Sure, it’s a long freefall, but I just don’t see why it’s interesting outside of that.  A difference which makes little difference is a little difference.

If he was going to do a _wingsuit_ jump from that height, I’d be impressed.

]]> By: glurpo http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556517 glurpo Mon, 15 Oct 2012 01:08:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556517 Pretty cool that he did it on the 65th anniversary of Chuck Yeager's X-1 flight that first reached Mach 1. Pretty cool that he did it on the 65th anniversary of Chuck Yeager’s X-1 flight that first reached Mach 1.

]]> By: bpratt http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556504 bpratt Sun, 14 Oct 2012 23:54:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556504 Right, Mach 1 at 100,000 feet is "only" 690 MPH according to the Red Bull site. Interesting to learn that it's not because of lower pressure, but because of lower temperature. But there must be some point at which pressure comes into it, as you approach vacuum and there just aren't enough molecules about to bump into each other, and eventually sound doesn't transmit at all.  Is it a gradual drop off, or some sudden threshold? Right, Mach 1 at 100,000 feet is “only” 690 MPH according to the Red Bull site. Interesting to learn that it’s not because of lower pressure, but because of lower temperature. But there must be some point at which pressure comes into it, as you approach vacuum and there just aren’t enough molecules about to bump into each other, and eventually sound doesn’t transmit at all.  Is it a gradual drop off, or some sudden threshold?

]]> By: BarBarSeven http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556499 BarBarSeven Sun, 14 Oct 2012 23:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556499 Wow! I did nothing today in comparison. Wow! I did nothing today in comparison.

]]> By: andygates http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556444 andygates Sun, 14 Oct 2012 19:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556444  Especially when there's some crazy guy who wants to do it already.  Especially when there’s some crazy guy who wants to do it already.

]]> By: voiceinthedistance http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556427 voiceinthedistance Sun, 14 Oct 2012 19:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556427 After the week we just witnessed, I wonder who will be the highest bidder when NASA is privatized and parted out:  Red Bull or Space X?  I guess it mostly comes down to who wants the real estate and souvenirs most.  I suppose the graphite in those rocket nozzles is worth something, too. After the week we just witnessed, I wonder who will be the highest bidder when NASA is privatized and parted out:  Red Bull or Space X?  I guess it mostly comes down to who wants the real estate and souvenirs most.  I suppose the graphite in those rocket nozzles is worth something, too.

]]> By: nixiebunny http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556421 nixiebunny Sun, 14 Oct 2012 19:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556421 You want an experienced person in command. Who else could the possibly choose? You want an experienced person in command. Who else could the possibly choose?

]]> By: bbtan http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556419 bbtan Sun, 14 Oct 2012 19:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556419 Baumgartner gets claustrophobia inside the suit and helmet - http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/us/felix-baumgartner-skydiving.html?pagewanted=all. That would make him kinda out-of-it I'd imagine. Baumgartner gets claustrophobia inside the suit and helmet - http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/15/us/felix-baumgartner-skydiving.html?pagewanted=all. That would make him kinda out-of-it I’d imagine.

]]> By: Scratcheee http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556415 Scratcheee Sun, 14 Oct 2012 19:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556415 But that was the speed of sound on pavement. But that was the speed of sound on pavement.

]]> By: michael b http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556413 michael b Sun, 14 Oct 2012 18:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556413 Sometimes you have to suck it up and go full scale, or go home. Sometimes you have to suck it up and go full scale, or go home.

]]> By: garyg2 http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556412 garyg2 Sun, 14 Oct 2012 18:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556412 Wasn't it, just like he stepped off a bus or something. Quite touching how the previous record holder (Joe Kittenger) was the Capcom, passing of the baton so to speak. Wasn’t it, just like he stepped off a bus or something.

Quite touching how the previous record holder (Joe Kittenger) was the Capcom, passing of the baton so to speak.

]]> By: winkybb http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556409 winkybb Sun, 14 Oct 2012 18:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556409 And Mach 5 is Speedracer's car. And Mach 5 is Speedracer’s car.

]]> By: winkybb http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556410 winkybb Sun, 14 Oct 2012 18:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556410 Yes. Very cool. Yes. Very cool.

]]> By: winkybb http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556408 winkybb Sun, 14 Oct 2012 18:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556408 ".....seemed to be freaking out a bit.  Understandably so." Yes. “…..seemed to be freaking out a bit.  Understandably so.”

Yes.

]]> By: winkybb http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556407 winkybb Sun, 14 Oct 2012 18:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556407 Just the delayed and unconvincing response to the instructions and questions. Seemed a bit vague. Perhaps partly explained by what seemed to be a poor communications link with JK.  But well done to all. (Cool stunt, but I can't see a lot of new science here.) Just the delayed and unconvincing response to the instructions and questions. Seemed a bit vague. Perhaps partly explained by what seemed to be a poor communications link with JK. 

But well done to all. (Cool stunt, but I can’t see a lot of new science here.)

]]> By: Scratcheee http://boingboing.net/2012/10/14/free-fall-from-stratosphere-l.html#comment-1556403 Scratcheee Sun, 14 Oct 2012 18:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=187344#comment-1556403 Any meaningful discussion of the sound barrier must be done in terms of Mach number, which is your speed relative to the speed of sound at whatever location you're travelling through.  The goal was to reach Mach 1, not to reach 768 MPH. Interesting trivia: 1.  Not trivia actually, but the speed of sound varies only with temperature, not pressure or density (there's a constant in there that may change according to the composition of the atmosphere or something...maybe someone smarter will correct me.) 2.  My version of Trivial Pursuit has a question and answer that define Mach 1 as "the speed of sound at sea level," which is not only wrong but also manages to completely miss the point of having a Mach number in the first place. Any meaningful discussion of the sound barrier must be done in terms of Mach number, which is your speed relative to the speed of sound at whatever location you’re travelling through.  The goal was to reach Mach 1, not to reach 768 MPH.

Interesting trivia:

1.  Not trivia actually, but the speed of sound varies only with temperature, not pressure or density (there’s a constant in there that may change according to the composition of the atmosphere or something…maybe someone smarter will correct me.)

2.  My version of Trivial Pursuit has a question and answer that define Mach 1 as “the speed of sound at sea level,” which is not only wrong but also manages to completely miss the point of having a Mach number in the first place.

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