News Alan Eustace Jumps From Stratosphere, Breaking Felix Baumgartner’s World Record

[Thunder Chicken]

Wow, didn't see this one coming:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/25/science/alan-eustace-jumps-from-stratosphere-breaking-felix-baumgartners-world-record.html

Jump altitude 135,890 ft (41,420 m), max. velocity 822 mi/h (1323 km/hr).

Looking for the video.

 

[statickid]

wasn't someone just tinkering with the UMMU reentry cone? That's probably where all this is heading... :headbang:

 

[fsci123]

Wow... That was really unexpected. I remember reading an article in a magazine a couple years ago that said that high altitude jumps may become a new extreme sport

 

[MattBaker]

that said that high altitude jumps may become a new extreme sport

I hate being the pessimist here but...I wonder when the first one s that up massively. It must happen at one point and then this might all recede a bit.

 

[fsci123]

I hate being the pessimist here but...I wonder when the first one s that up massively. It must happen at one point and then this might all recede a bit.

I could imagine this being slightly more safer than regular parachute jumping. Considering there is no plane to be hit by or the fact that the teams involved often prepare for months before pulling off such a jump. Also, based on the amount of money and training involved, I doubt there would be anyone who would be prone to making idiotic mistakes.

 

[ISProgram]

The more you do something, the more risky it becomes, eventually someone WILL up. It was the same way with the airplane industry, and it will be the same way with commercial spaceflight, if it ever takes off.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

One of the big dangers of this activity is uncontrollable tumbling. It's interesting that despite jumping from a higher altitude, Eustace's peak velocity was somewhat less than Baumgartner's (822 mph vs. 843.6 mph). I'm wondering if some sort of stabilization system was employed. The profile photos and video don't provide much detail.

The balloon system is crazy - no capsule at all. Just an "equipment module" - basically just a suit with a balloon attached to it. Just the ride up to altitude must have been awesome.

 

[GLS]

I'm wondering if some sort of stabilization system was employed.

from the press release

(...) made history with a near-space dive from a high-altitude balloon at approximately 135,000 feet. Eustace broke several records, including national record for highest exit altitude; world and national record for free fall under a drogue chute; national record for vertical speed. Additionally, he became the second person to break the sound barrier outside an aircraft.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

Here's a Youtube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQSvowsAUkI

Would rather see more of the freefall and less music editing.

 

[fort]

I do not understand the need to launch from an altitude of 42km to perform a somersault (1:12). Personally I managed it very well from the ground :shrug: