Felix Baumgartner Threatens Joe Kittinger’s Spacedive Record

Pin It Now! For many people skydiving is considered the ultimate adrenaline rush. Jumping out of a plane at 14, 000 feet can feel mighty unnatural, but the sensation of freefalling towards the ground is known to be an exhilarating and amazing feeling. Well if 14, 000 feet isn’t high enough for you, how do you fancy freefalling from 120, 000 feet? One Austrian man is currently attempting just that.

The record for the highest skydive has been held by US Air Force Colonel Joe Kittinger, who jumped from a balloon at 102, 800 feet, but this is set to be beaten by Felix Baumgartner, an Austrian skydiver and BASE jumper who is known for some unique achievements including completing the highest parachute jump from a building and the lowest BASE jump.

Baumgartner plans to jump from the very edge of space, 26.7 km up, to complete the highest freefall jump and the first man to break the sound barrier unaided by machines. If successful, it will be the longest and fastest free-fall in history.

Skydiver, BASE jumper and spacediver Felix Baumgartner Due to the extreme height of the jump, there are a few additional considerations. Felix will don a pressurised suit for the jump, similar to those worn by NASA astronauts but even tougher and more mobile. The suit is important, as if its integrity is compromised his body tissue could swell up do to the air pressure, and the moisture in his face could boil. The suit also protects Baumgartner from temperatures as low as -70c.

The record holder, Joe Kittinger is an advisor for the project, and they have already completed a preparatory jump in Mexico, jumping from a balloon at a height of 71, 500 feet or 22km. Eight minutes after jumping, Baumgartner landed safely on the ground.

The Austrian has NASA to thank for making the jump possible – they spent time in the 1960s researching the possibility of an orbital escape system for astronauts. Space parachutes were developed including personal rockets and inflatable cones to protect astronauts against re-entry to the earth’s atmosphere. Without these technological developments it would be unlikely that Felix would be able to attempt the spacedive.

Retired US Air Force Colonel Joe Kittinger As Felix will be the first man to reach supersonic speeds unaided, it’s impossible to know what it will feel like, and there’s no way of accurately simulating the experience beforehand for preparation. Skydives around the world are following Baumgartner’s progress, aided by a team of scientists who can help plan the jump.

While Felix and his team of experts might be confident, he revealed that his mother is still scared and concerned about his safety, despite the fact that he has been skydiving since the tender age of sixteen. The spacedive is expected to take place later this year.

Author Bio:Alan Cairns writes on a number of subjects including tandem skydive essex and extreme sports.

Felix Baumgartner Threatens Joe Kittinger’s Spacedive Record