Space-Diving (130,000 feet)

[Dr Mordrid]

http://www.space.com/news/060713_big_jump.html

Frenchman Michel Fournier is readying himself and equipment to attempt a record-setting free fall from the stratosphere.

Dubbed "The Big Jump", Fournier is eyeing next month for his supersonic free fall from about 130,000 feet (40 kilometers)—roughly 25 miles above the Earth. The dive from a balloon-carried gondola is slated to take place above the plains of Saskatchewan, Canada.

The 62-year old Fournier is an experienced parachutist, pilot and former military officer. He hopes his ultra-sky dive will contribute to the development of future technologies and the safety of stratospheric flight—specifically by astronauts in high altitude emergencies that are outfitted with the proper survival equipment.

Image link....

Cool....

Dr. Mordrid

[Jammrock]

Cool. I wonder how long he'll be in free fall?

[High_Jumbllama]

I'd be worried about pressure changes and gasses in his blood.

[ZokesPro]

Won't his capsule get kind of hot from the friction?

[Dr Mordrid]

No capsule: he's free jumping. The capsule is just there for the balloon ride up.

Gasses aren't a problem. He'll be wearing a pressure suit akin to an astronauts.

When Joe Kittinger jumped from 102,800 feet in 1960 his free (actually drogue) fall was 4.5 minutes before he opened at 18,000 feet. Add a bit for the extra height and ~6 minutes is a good guess.

The drogue is to stabilize the jumper. At such high altitudes the usual arm/leg attitude control is difficult. Last thing you need is to go into a spin at >600 mph

Joe Kittinger on Wiki....

Joe Kittingers jump:


Dr. Mordrid

[Nowhere]

When someone will finally make use of the idea NASA had in the 50s or 60's - "open", designed for one man wearing spacesuit, rescue return "capsules"?

[Dr Mordrid]

I'd like to see a test of the old one-man re-entry balloon.