Is anyone else tracking this?
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner plans to make a death-defying, 23-mile free fall into the southeastern New Mexico desert in an attempt to break the speed of sound.
From:
Skydiver's supersonic jump on weather hold
http://www.redbullstratos.com/live
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner plans to make a death-defying, 23-mile free fall into the southeastern New Mexico desert in an attempt to break the speed of sound.
From:
Skydiver's supersonic jump on weather hold
View live:If the mission goes, Baumgartner will make a nearly three-hour ascent to 120,000 feet, then take a bunny-style hop from a pressurized capsule into a near-vacuum where there is barely any oxygen to begin what is expected to be the fastest, farthest free fall from the highest-ever manned balloon.
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During the ascent, Walshe said, the team will have views from a number of cameras, including one focused directly on Baumgartner's face. Additionally, they will have data from life support and other systems that show things like whether he is getting enough oxygen.
The team also expects constant communication with Baumgartner, although former Air Force Capt. Joe Kittinger, whose 1960 free-fall record from 19.5 miles Baumgartner hopes to break, is the only member of mission control who will be allowed to talk to him.
And while Baumgartner hopes to set four new world records, his free fall is more than just a stunt.
His dive from the stratosphere should provide scientists with valuable information for next-generation spacesuits and techniques that could help astronauts survive accidents.
Jumping from more than three times the height of the average cruising altitude for jetliners, Baumgartner's expects to hit a speed of 690 mph or more before he activates his parachute at 9,500 feet above sea level, or about 5,000 above the ground in southeastern New Mexico. The total jump should take about 10 minutes.
http://www.redbullstratos.com/live