This GoPro video was just released on Friday and it's already well past 3 million views... and it's easy to understand why once you've seen it. It's an all-new view of Felix Baumgartner's Red Bull Stratos jump from nearly 128,000 feet above the Earth's surface, and for me it was every bit as intense seeing it from these seven GoPro cameras as it was seeing it live on October 14, 2012.
I haven't met Felix Baumgartner but I did meet and talk with both Joe Kittinger and Red Bull Stratos Technical Project Director Art Thompson at Oshkosh 2013 and I must say that these men are two of the nicest guys I've ever met. I was very impressed with their kindness as human beings, and would imagine Felix is cut from the same cloth. Knowing that these good people were at the core of the Red Bull Stratos project makes me respect what was accomplished on that day all the more.
And to quote Felix while standing on the step about to jump: "Sometimes, you have to be up really high... to understand how small you are." #humility
While this interview is clearly from a non-aviation perspective, it is done without any crazy questions or glaring errors like when MSNBC reported that Felix actually went faster than the speed of LIGHT. Mostly it's a chance to see Felix as Felix and to hear him talk a little about the spin he encountered in freefall, along with some great footage from the balloon ride and the amazing spacedive.
Screenshot from video showing prior press conference footage of Felix and Joe Kittinger
The Red Bull Stratos team had calculated that Felix Baumgartner would very possibly go supersonic on a spacedive from 120,000 feet... and with the actual stepping off point of 128,097 feet last Sunday, his chances for that high of a speed seemed even more likely. Interestingly, MSNBC reported that Felix actually went faster than the speed of LIGHT on Sunday! Wow! That would have really been impressive! However, I'm pretty confident that Felix did not exceed the speed of light during his spacedive, and I'm pretty sure that my long-held opinion that MSNBC doesn't have the first clue remains solidly intact.
But concerning the speed of SOUND, the unofficial report from the Red Bull Stratos team is saying that Felix went Mach 1.24 or about 833 mph. The higher exit altitude would seem to fit with the idea that Felix not only got past the speed of sound, but got well past it. And unlike the speculation offered up by some before the attempt, Felix didn't burn up and he didn't explode when he exceeded the sound barrier. In fact, he didn't even feel anything when he went supersonic.
Felix Baumgartner head down in a Red Bull Stratos test jump in June 2012
But I'd like to offer up a little different perspective here. I'm guessing Felix's speed was really more like about 200mph. Am I doubting that Felix went supersonic? Of course not. I'm a huge fan of what was accomplished by the entire Red Bull Stratos team (and their subcontractors) and I'm quite confident that Felix did exceed the speed of sound while in freefall. But the kind of thinking that was sure he would burn up or explode if he went supersonic is also a little confused in wrapping their head around that 833 mph figure. Felix's airspeed, meaning the the speed that would have registered on an airspeed indicator if he had one, was most likely more like 200mph.
Great overview video of the entire mission: launch to landing
Since there was so little air when he was at the extremely high altitudes, the air pressure he felt was greatly reduced despite the high speed he was traveling. My speculation is that from an actual airspeed perspective, this jump felt about the same as it would have if he had made if from 15,000 feet and gone head-down in freefall. Given the extra mass that Felix had with the equipment he was wearing, the relatively aerodynamic shape of the snug fitting suit and helmet, and the head-down position, he would likely be able to hit up to about 200 mph on any skydive. A typical skydiver in a flat stomach-toward-the-earth position falls with an airspeed around 120 mph. But when that typical skydiver pulls their arms back to their side and goes into a head down position, they can easily reach 180 mph.
So, the point here is that while Felix did go supersonic, it really felt like a pretty normal airspeed to his body and suit. Anyone thinking that it was like Felix was driving a convertible car at 833 mph on the ground needs to think again. However, there were lots of other factors on this jump that made it hardcore extreme. With temperatures as cold as -90 Fahrenheit to fly thru, the lack of life-supporting oxygen outside the suit, the extreme low atmospheric pressure, and the length of time that Felix was living inside that suit (both physiological and psychological stress) before the actual jump all made the mission both a huge challenge and extremely dangerous.
For me tho, one of the most impressive and powerful parts of the whole project is found in the words that Felix spoke just before he left the capsule:
I know the whole world is watching right now and I wish the world could see what I can see. Sometimes you have to go up really high to understand how small you really are... I'm going home now.
Well done Felix Baumgartner and the Red Bull Stratos team!
After trying but failing last week to launch the largest manned helium balloon ever from Roswell New Mexico, and then battling similar challenging winds this morning, Felix Baumgartner and the Red Bull Stratos crew succeeded in getting off the ground late this morning Mountain Time. And then after a successful ascent, Felix left the capsule step at 128,097 feet above the Earth setting records for the highest manned balloon flight, the highest jump ever, and the fastest freefall speed. The actual speed will be posted later once it's official, but it does indeed appear that Felix went faster than the speed of sound on his journey back to Earth!
The 4 minute 19 second freefall begins right here at 128,097 feet!
I was away from my office and my computer when the jump took place, but I did watch it live on my phone... a pretty unbelievable feat to say the least. How things have changed since the days when Joe Kittinger made his jump from 102,800 feet in 1960 - a record jump that stood until earlier today. Seeing Felix on the ascent and then leaving the capsule step live was amazing, awesome, and fantastic. What a thrill to be able to experience this project with a live broadcast!
I figured there were plenty of sources out there for info on the jump today, so rather than just repeat the same info I'm offering up 5 reasons why I think the Red Bull Stratos spacedive today by Felix Baumgartner was pure awesome.
Felix Baumgartner and Technical Project Director Art Thompson celebrate success!
Reason 1: Joe Kittinger involvement
The fact that the man who set the high altitude jump record as part of Project Excelsior back in 1960 was directly involved in the Red Bull Stratos project is simply spectacular. Had the 84-year-old Joe Kittinger only made a statement or posed for a pic or two with Felix, we would have missed out on the way that these two projects and these two very unique men have been brought together. Even more encouraging is that fact that this was never seen by either man as an issue of pride... Joe was thrilled to be part of the effort of another man to break his records. Unlike our modern culture of extreme sports and chest-beating self glory, this is how real men behave.
If you're interested in knowing more of Joe Kittinger's fabulous life, check out his autobiography Come Up and Get Me: An Autobiography of Colonel Joe Kittinger - and if you purchase it (or any other products) after using this link, AirPigz receives a small referral payment from Amazon. It doesn't cost you anything extra and AirPigz gets some much needed support!
The video above shows the attempt to launch Felix Baumgartner out of Roswell New Mexico last Tuesday (October 9, 2012) as part of the Red Bull Stratos project, an effort to make a jump from the edge of space at 120,000. The video shows how to winds were too strong to launch, and that Felix had hopes that they would be able to try the launch again two days later on the 11th. The weather forecast wasn't favorable for the 11th, but it is currently favorable for a launch early Sunday morning October 14, 2012, presumably at 8am EDT / 6am MDT.
WATCH LIVE: the launch, ascent, and jump by Felix Baumgartner will be broadcast live via RedBullStratos.com/live - this is also your best source for an update on the current launch countdown.
UPDATE: 9:48am EDT Sunday October 14, 2012 Red Bull Stratos update was just given at www.redbullstratos.com/live - Winds are calm on the ground but again blowing too strong at 700 feet. Felix is in the capsule and ready but the balloon is not inflated and the launch is on hold until 9am MDT (11am EDT / 8am PDT) - winds are expected to be suitable around 9am MDT.
click pic to enlarge - then right click to save for use as a cover pic on your facebook page
You might want to join me in showing support for Felix by making the above pic your facebook cover pic for the day. Click the pic to enlarge it, then right click and save-as to save the pic on your computer... then you can upload it and set it as your cover pic on your facebook page.
There's another interesting twist to the attempt to make the spacedive on Sunday October 14, 2012. This date is 65 years to the day since Chuck Yeager was the first person to fly an aircraft faster than the speed of sound. He accomplished this on October 12, 1947 flying the Bell X-1. Even more, 89 year old Chuck Yeager will celebrate this date by riding in the back of an F-15 that will go supersonic at essentially the same time and place that he did it back in 1947. They will depart Nellis AFB near Las Vegas and then travel to the area around Edwards AFB (called Muroc at the time) to recreate the supersonic flight. You can learn more in this article: Famous pilot Yeager re-enacting right stuff 65 years later.
But the big news tomorrow will be about Felix Baumgartner and his attempt to be the first person to go supersonic without being inside an aircraft. He may attain a speed of 690 mph while in freefall, a speed sufficient to push him past the speed of sound!
Felix Baumgartner after balloon launch for 120,000' spacedive was cancelled due to wind
Red Bull Stratos spacedive to be re-scheduled... possibly as early as Thursday October 11, 2012 (check RedBullStratos.com/live for schedule and live broadcast)
UPDATE: 6:34pm Wednesday October 10, 2012 Next launch attempt tentatively scheduled for Sunday October 14 as the weather forecast shows that Thursday's weather will not be suitable. The next weather window for Felix Baumgartner and Red Bull Stratos opens on Sunday Oct 14 - a three day pre-alert as well as daily weather updates will follow and lead into the next launch day... watch RedBullStratos.com/live for official updates.
A lot of people all over the world were watching and hoping for the massive 29.47 million cubic foot helium balloon to be completely filled and launched out of Roswell New Mexico today, but the winds were too strong to safely launch. An early morning attempt to send Felix Baumgartner up to a record breaking 120,000 feet for a freefall from the edge of space was re-scheduled for later in the day (approximately 1:30pm EDT) but at 1:42 EDT the mission was aborted as the winds were just too strong to launch the balloon. The entire Red Bull Stratos team is now working to calculate when the attempt can be tried once again... possibly as early as Thursday October 11, 2012. The intent is the same as before, to reach 120,000 feet for the spacedive back to Earth.
Felix Baumgartner entering the Red Bull Stratos capsule for the launch attempt today
This is the third and final Red Bull Stratos jump planned... and the one that is expected to break the record jump set on August 16, 1960 by Joe Kittinger (USAF Captain at the time of the record, later a Colonel) of 102,800 feet as part of Project Excelsior. The first Red Bull Stratos jump was made by Felix from 71,581 feet on March 15, 2012 and the second from 96,640 feet on July 25, 2012. This third mission will shatter the 1960 record if they reach the intended altitude of 120,000 feet.
Helium balloon minutes before cancelling the launch due to wind at 1:42 EDT on 10.9.12
The are many risks and hazards associated with a project like this, but the first two jumps by Felix have gone much smoother than the serious challenges Joe Kittinger experienced in his three high altitude jumps (more on that in a future post) - but the expectations are high for a successful mission for Felix, and hopefully that'll take place very soon.
It's truly remarkable that Joe Kittinger is participating in the Red Bull Stratos project as a technical advisor and inspirational cheerleader... and the picture below of Felix (born 1969) and Joe (born 1928) together is really rather amazing when you consider what these men have accomplished and how many years are between their efforts.
You might be interested in checking out this excellent book: Come Up and Get Me: An Autobiography of Colonel Joe Kittinger - and if you purchase it (or any other products) after using this link, AirPigz receives a small referral payment from Amazon. It doesn't cost you anything extra and AirPigz gets some much needed support!
Felix Baumgartner (Red Bull Stratos) and Joe Kittinger (Project Excelsior) together
Animation of the process set to unfold tomorrow - the Red Bull Stratos spacedive
UPDATE: 9:47am Tuesday October 9, 2012 LAUNCH DELAYED - earliest launch time now 1:30pm EDT. (Watch RedBullStratos.com/live for launch update info) Winds on the surface in Roswell are light but at 800 feet they were about 20mph... the winds must be very light from the surface to approximately 1,000 feet so that the entire balloon is experiencing the same wind for the launch process.
(7 pix and 2 videos)
The Red Bull Stratos spacedive from 120,000 feet (at the edge of space) was scheduled to take place today with a launch in Roswell New Mexico, but weather issues have pushed the attempt back until tomorrow, Tuesday October 9, 2012. You're probably already somewhat familiar with Felix Baumgartner and this effort to break the 120,800 foot jump record set by Joseph Kittinger back in 1960, and you might even know that Kittinger (now 84 years old) is participating in the program as a technical advisor and inspirational cheerleader, but do you know much about the details of the equipment for the jump? If not, check out the following info to get your self 'up to speed' so to speak.
BE ADVISED: the Red Bull Stratos spacedive will be broadcast live at RedBullStratos.com/live with a target launch time of 5am Pacific time / 8am Eastern time. As I understand it, the ascent to 120,000 feet will take less than three hours, so the jump from the capsule might occur before noon Eastern time. Be sure to check out the 'how to watch live page' to get more info on the various options for viewing the mission. An extensive broadcast effort with 35 cameras has been put in place - this might be really amazing coverage! You can also get an alert about the launch time by joining the Red Bull Stratos Mission - Live on facebook.
Felix Baumgartner may be in this spot tomorrow - at 120,000 feet ready to jump
Live broacast details - where to watch and what to expect, plus brief mission overview
From launch to landing - the full Red Bull Stratos mission sequence
Felix Baumgartner ready to leave capsule at over 71,000' on 3-15-12 (photo: facebook)
I was really excited when I first learned about the Red Bull Stratos project and Felix Baumgartner's plan to attempt to break Joseph Kittinger's amazing high altitude jump record of 102,800' from 1960. My dad started skydiving in 1958, so the incredible jumps of Joe Kittinger were part of household talk when I was a kid. But when the Stratos project went on hold in late 2010 due to a legal battle over how this new project had been conceived (see story here), I lost a lot of my interest. But with yesterday's test jump from over 71,000 feet that launched from Roswell New Mexico, and the success that has been achieved thus far, it's hard not be excited again. (apparently some sort of out-of-court settlement got the project back on track in mid 2011)
I'm guessing there will be some extensive freefall video available before long, but for now the video below gives a good overview of the project and the jump from yesterday.
It's pretty much off-the-scale-cool that Joe Kittinger is involved in the Stratos project encouraging Felix along... and it's great to see that this new project has helped bring attention to Joe's amazing accomplishments from so long ago. And the Stratos project is more than just a stunt. The next generation of pressure suits are being tested here, and then there's that interesting idea that Felix may indeed go supersonic when he gets to the big jump planned for 120,000 feet. I don't know if there's really anything interesting or useful to be learned from a man in a pressure suit falling at supersonic speeds, but I guess we won't know until it's done!
For more details on the Red Bull Stratos project, check out:
Sunday, February 2, 2014 at 06:32AM 
(click pic to enlarge) GoPro HERO2 HD screenshot of Felix Baumgartner just off the step
- 
