Supersonic Spacedive
I wrote a scene for an upcoming book involving a parachute drop from orbit, something that science fiction writers have been noodling about at least since Heinlein’s opening scene in STARSHIP TROOPERS, if not earlier.
Only today did I come across the news of a spacedive from October of 2012, a decade ago at the time of this writing. I used to follow aerospace news more closely, so I am a little chagrined to be ten years late to the party.
Wikipedia says: Red Bull Stratos was a space diving project involving Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner. On 14 October 2012, Baumgartner flew approximately 24 miles into the stratosphere in a helium balloon before free falling in a pressure suit and then parachuting to Earth. The total jump, from leaving the capsule to landing on the ground, lasted approximately ten minutes.
Reaching 843.6 mph — Mach 1.25 — Baumgartner broke the sound barrier on his descent, thus becoming the first human to do so without any form of engine power.
Allow me to repeat two comments found below the vid:
OCASO Media says “That old gentleman in the video is fighter pilot Col. Joe Kittinger who held the prior highest free dive altitude record that he set in 1960. He gladly participated in helping Baumgartner achieve his record breaking feat.”
Clifton84 says: “Joe Kittinger, he made this jump from 19 miles up back in 1960. His story is crazy, his glove quit working and he was so high up that the blood in his hand started to boil and they asked him if he wanted to come down but he said no and continued with the mission. He was the one who found out that you spin very hard when coming back into the atmosphere to the point that he passed out. Luckily he woke up in time to pull his parachute. He did this back when there was no safety and the odds of surviving were almost 0%. That old man is a complete badass.”
My only comment is to express awe and admiration to Mr. Baumgartner and Mr. Kittinger. Men of legendary boldness still are doing deeds of wonder.
About John C Wright
John C. Wright is a practicing philosopher, a retired attorney, newspaperman, and newspaper editor, and a published author of science fiction. Once a Houyhnhnm, he was expelled from the august ranks of purely rational beings when he fell in love; but retains an honorary title.
